CN101968775B - Computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer system comprises a receiver coupled to a computer and configured to pair with a set of peripheral devices wirelessly and have active wireless connections with a first subset of the set of peripheral devices and inactive wireless connections with a second subset of the set of the peripheral devices. If a select one of the peripheral devices in the inactive set of peripheral devices is operated, the receiver is configured to terminate an active connection for one of the peripheral devices having an active connection and having a period of non-use that is longer than others of the peripheral devices having active connections, wherein the terminated active connection for the peripheral device of the first subset is switched to the inactive connection of the second subset; and to activate the connection with the selected peripheral device of the inactive second subset in the delay time range, and the delay time range is under the apperceive level of people for the delay time range, wherein the active peripheral device of the second subset is switched to the active connection of the first subset.

Description

Computer system

The cross reference of related application

This application claims the people such as Jacques Chassot on July 27th, 2009 submit to be entitled as " RECEIVER CONFIGURED TO PAIR TO MULTIPLE WIRELESSDEVICES " the 61/228th, the people such as No. 916 U.S. Provisional Applications and Jacques Chassot on July 31st, 2009 submit to be entitled as " RECEIVER CONFIGURED TO PAIRTO MULTIPLE WIRELESS DEVICES " the 61/230th, the right of priority of No. 665 U.S. Provisional Applications, is herein incorporated the full content of the two for all objects by reference at this.

Background technology

The present invention relates generally to be configured to the peripherals for using together with computing machine, such as human interface device.More specifically, the present invention relates to the receiver that is configured to match with multiple peripherals and be configured to run the software module with from the receiver received communication for peripherals on computers, wherein this receiver and software module co-operate, with by communication in passing computing machine, thus make multiple peripherals can be not interfering with each other with compunication.

The peripherals of computing machine comprises the various consumer products groups being arranged to and being combined with computing machine.Peripherals comprises web camera, printer, hard disk drive, monitor, human interface device (HID), projector, plotting apparatus, loudspeaker, scanner, digital camera, video camera, microphone etc.Peripherals (such as HID) comprises computer keyboard, computer mouse, tracking ball, operating rod etc. traditionally.Those skilled in the art will know other HID many usually used together with computing machine.

The peripherals of HID and other type be usually configured to Computer Wireless Communication with perform they controlling functions, exchange data etc. with computing machine.More specifically, HID is configured to and wireless receiver radio communication usually, this wireless receiver can embed in a computer (such as, be equipped with the portable computer of bluetooth) or the communication jack that can be inserted on computing machine or groove in (such as, being inserted into the USB receiver of USB (universal serial bus) (USB) port on computing machine).As mentioned herein, receiver can be configured to send and receive radio communication.

For the not standardization at large so far of the wireless connection interface of HID on computing machine (such as, personal computer, portable computer etc.).As discussed briefly above like that, some computing machines are provided for the embedded Bluetooth receiver of bluetooth HID, and other computing machine does not have available wireless connections.One available on current computer relatively general connectivity option supports that the USB of HID connects.

For the computing machine with USB connection, the market of wireless HID has seen the development of patent wireless solution.Patent wireless solution comprises patent equipment driver etc., and wherein HID and USB receiver (that is, encryption lock (dongle)) is paid together, and this USB receiver can comprise patent equipment driver.Therefore, USB receiver allows HID to be wirelessly connected to computing machine, for carrying out radio communication with computing machine.

The agreement that wireless patent HID follows that a HID and receiver matches or maximum two HID and receivers match with a problem having occurred in the HID wireless connections of computing machine.Such as, mouse can be paid together with the USB receiver matched with this mouse, and one of USB port on computing machine must be inserted into therewith to use, or keyboard and mouse can be paid together with the USB receiver matched with this mouse and keyboard, and must be inserted into one of USB port on computing machine therewith to use.

If user wants to use a large amount of wireless HID together with computing machine, then the quantity of USB receiver promptly becomes problem, has used up many or all USB port available on computing machine.Along with market changes from Desktop PC to portable computer, a large number of users wants the portable computer moving them between different fields of employment.Such as, user think their portable computer mobile for being in, workplace (such as, office) and during journey (such as, from family to office) use.In addition, these users want their HID set to stay original place, field of employment usually, thus during journey only mobile portable computing machine.Such as, user may want to use full size keyboard with her portable computer in workplace and family, but may not want to transport full size keyboard back and forth from family to workplace.

Consider above general introduction problem, computer maker, HID manufacturer etc. continue to strive for develop HID and the HID interface that makes new advances to address these and other problems.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates generally to be configured for the peripherals used together with computing machine, such as human interface device.More specifically, the present invention relates to the receiver that is configured to match with multiple peripherals and be configured to run the software module with from the receiver received communication for peripherals on computers, wherein this receiver communicates to present to computing machine with software module co-operate, makes multiple peripherals can be not interfering with each other with compunication.

According to an embodiment, computer system comprises receiver, this receiver is configured to match with the set of peripherals (set of such as human interface device), and has and be connected with the active of the first subset of peripherals and be connected with the inactive of the second subset of peripherals.First and second subsets of peripherals are the subsets of set of peripheral devices.If selected peripherals is operated in the peripherals of inactive set of peripheral devices, then receiver is configured in the connection postponing activation and selected peripherals in the period, and these treat period people under the perception level of delay period.

According to specific embodiment, receiver is configured to stop the active connection for such as next peripherals: this peripherals has active connection, and has and have the longer non-use periods of the active peripherals connected than other.According to another specific embodiment, the first subset of peripherals comprises nearly three peripherals.According to another specific embodiment, receiver is configured to by RF channel at the enterprising Serial Communication of multiple pipeline, and wherein a multiple ducted pipeline is arranged to and reconnects, and multiple other pipeline ducted is arranged to active connection.The plurality of pipeline can comprise four pipelines.

According to an embodiment, computer system comprises receiver, and this receiver is configured to match with multiple peripherals, and has and be connected with the active of set of peripheral devices.This set of peripheral devices comprises the peripherals of the number of peripheral devices be less than in multiple peripherals.If selected peripherals does not arrive the active connection of receiver and selected peripherals is operated, so: i) receiver is configured to stop as the active connection of next peripherals: this peripherals has active connection, and have, than other, there is the longer non-use periods of the active peripherals connected; And ii) after this, receiver is configured to activate the connection with selected peripherals.

According to specific embodiment, receiver is configured to by RF channel at the enterprising Serial Communication of multiple pipeline.A multiple ducted pipeline is arranged to and reconnects, and multiple other pipeline ducted is arranged to active connection.The plurality of pipeline can comprise four pipelines.Set of peripheral devices can comprise nearly three peripherals.

According to an embodiment, for computing machine provides Computerized method to interact with multiple peripherals, the full set of the controlling functions of its peripheral devices can be run on computers.The method comprises by computing machine from the receiver reception enumerator report of being coupled to this computing machine, the equipment index that the report of this enumerator has peripherals report and is included in the set of equipment index, is wherein sent to receiver by the report of this peripherals from selected peripherals.The method also comprises by the equipment index in the report of computing machine determination enumerator.The method also comprises: by computing machine, peripherals report is routed to the device driver be associated with equipment index, wherein this device driver is configured to the full set of the operating function provided for the peripherals be associated with this device driver; And the command functions of the peripherals report sent from selected peripherals is performed by computing machine.

According to specific embodiment, device driver is included in device driver set, and each device driver is associated with unique equipment index.According to another specific embodiment, the operating system that the method also comprises to computing machine states multiple peripherals.

According to an embodiment, comprised by the Computerized method that peripherals (such as human interface device) and the receiver being coupled to computing machine match and initiate to be connected utility routine by computing machine, this connection utility routine is configured to guide the receiver of the connector being coupled to computing machine to enter pairing mode.The method is also comprised being received by computing machine and connects for guiding the input that receiver to be placed in pairing mode by utility routine.The method also comprise based on received input guide receiver enter pairing mode.The method comprises and by computer guiding user, the slide switch on peripherals is switched to unlatching from shutoff, so that peripherals is placed in pairing mode.If receiver and peripherals are all in pairing mode, then receiver is configured to match with this peripherals; And if receiver or peripherals are not in pairing mode, then receiver is configured to not match with this peripherals.

According to specific embodiment, the method also comprises: i) by COMPUTER DETECTION for set of peripheral devices, another receiver of another connector of being coupled to computing machine; Ii) user's inquiry is presented, for being matched by receiver described in set of peripheral devices and first by computing machine to user; And iii) receive the response of user to inquiry by computing machine.If user responds the designator comprised for set of peripheral devices and the first receiver being matched, so the method comprises: i) guide user to extract other receiver from computing machine, if (user does not extract other receiver first time, then set of peripheral devices will reconnect to this other receiver, and if their power switch is configured to open then will not enter pairing mode); Ii) the first receiver is guided to enter pairing mode; And iii) by computer guiding user, the slide switch set in set of peripheral devices is switched to unlatching from shutoff, so that set of peripheral devices is placed in pairing mode.If the first receiver and set of peripheral devices are all in pairing mode, then the first receiver is configured to match with this set of peripheral devices.If set of peripheral devices is not in pairing mode, then the first receiver is configured to not match with this set of peripheral devices.If user's response comprises for not by the designator that this set of peripheral devices and the first receiver are matched, so the method comprises: pairing i) maintaining the first peripherals and the first receiver; And ii) maintain the pairing of set of peripheral devices and this other receiver.Above-mentioned steps can be recycled and reused for one or more receiver being coupled to the connector of computing machine detected subsequently.

According to an embodiment, peripherals is configured to be communicated with receiver by wireless connections, and wherein this peripherals comprises: communication facilities, and itself and the first receiver match, and is configured to be communicated with the first receiver by wireless connections; And slide switch, it is coupled to communication facilities, and is configured to slide into opening from off state, to connect the power supply of communication facilities.If slide switch slides into opening from off state, then communication facilities is configured to attempt to be connected to the first receiver by wireless connections.If communication facilities is connected to the first receiver at slide switch after off state slides into opening, then communication facilities is configured to not enter pairing mode.If communication facilities is not connected to the first receiver at slide switch after off state slides into opening, then communication facilities is configured to enter pairing mode a period of time, and search the second receiver of being in pairing mode with its pairing.If the second receiver is in pairing mode, then communication facilities is configured to match with the second receiver, and at the backed off after random pairing mode with the second receiver pairing.If the second receiver is not in pairing mode, then communication facilities is configured to exit pairing mode.According to a specific embodiment, this time period is approximately 500 milliseconds or less.Communication facilities can comprise processor and transceiver.

According to an embodiment, for receiver provides communication means, to be communicated with set of peripheral devices by communication pipe set.The method comprises: receive the report of being transmitted by service pipeline from the first peripherals in the receiver, this first peripherals does not arrive the active connection of receiver; And determine whether the first peripherals matches with receiver in the receiver.If the first peripherals does not match with receiver, then this report ignored by receiver.If the first peripherals and receiver match, then receiver equipment pipe is distributed to the first peripherals for receiver radio communication.The method also comprises the second peripherals being assigned with equipment pipe is before placed in hang-up (on hold).

According to concrete example, receiver be configured to by three equipment pipes on one's own initiative with nearly three peripheral communications, these three peripherals are referred to as the second peripherals, the 3rd peripherals and the 4th peripherals, and the step the second peripherals being placed in hang-up comprises to be determined in the middle of the second peripherals, the 3rd peripherals and the 4th peripherals by receiver, the second peripherals has the most long duration do not communicated with receiver.Receiver is configured to keep active and report determining that the second peripherals is ignored when having the most long duration do not communicated with receiver.Second peripherals is not when being placed in hang-up from receiver to when the communication of the second peripherals.

According to an embodiment, provide the peripherals (such as human interface device) that computerized method is enlivened from human interface device set identification for making the user of subscriber computer.The method comprises: present peripheral device identifier set via the graphical user interface (GUI) on computing machine, this peripheral device identifier set identifies each peripherals in set of peripheral devices respectively; And selected peripherals receives report from set of peripheral devices.The method to be also included on GUI show needle to the use identifier of the peripheral device identifier of selected peripherals, makes user can distinguish other peripherals in selected peripherals and set of peripheral devices.

According to another embodiment, computer-readable recording medium comprises programmed instruction, when this programmed instruction is performed by the controller in computing machine, controller is performed for making computing machine and the interactional method of multiple peripherals, and the full set of the controlling functions of its peripheral devices can be run on computers.The method comprises by computing machine from the receiver reception enumerator report of being coupled to computing machine, the equipment index that the report of this enumerator has peripherals report and is included in the set of equipment index.The report of this enumerator is sent to receiver from selected peripherals.The method also comprises: by the equipment index in the report of computing machine determination enumerator, and by computing machine, peripherals report is routed to the device driver be associated with this equipment index.Device driver is configured to the full set of the operating function provided for the peripherals be associated with this device driver.The method also comprises the command functions being performed the peripherals report sent from selected peripherals by computing machine.Device driver is included in device driver set, and each device driver is associated with unique equipment index.According to the specific embodiment of computer-readable medium, the operating system that the method also comprises to computing machine states multiple peripherals.Peripherals comprises human interface device.

According to another embodiment, comprise for the Computerized method that set of peripheral devices and the unified receiver substituted are matched again: be inserted in the unified receiver substituted in the communication port of computing machine by COMPUTER DETECTION; And receiving user's input by computing machine, set of peripheral devices and the unified receiver substituted are matched by this user's input command computing machine again.The method also comprises repetition following steps: i) guide receiver to enter pairing mode; Ii) via computer guiding user, the slide switch on peripherals is switched to unlatching from shutoff, so that peripherals is placed in pairing mode; And iii) peripherals and the unified receiver substituted are matched again, again to match or until computing machine to receive from user and ceases and desist order to stop set of peripheral devices and the unified receiver substituted again to be matched until last peripherals and the unified receiver substituted.Before set of peripheral devices again being matched with the unified receiver substituted, the unified receiver substituted does not match with other peripherals.Communication port can be USB port.According to specific embodiment, detecting step comprises look-up table in the unified receiver that inquiry substitutes to determine whether look-up table is blank, thus determines that the unified receiver substituted is arranged to and again match with set of peripheral devices.

According to another embodiment, in how main configuration, the method for the peripherals that operation is matched with multiple unified receiver comprises: by peripherals by the address of each unified receiver be stored in the local storage of peripherals to the encryption key of the wireless link of each unified receiver; And by peripherals, the priority being used for communicating with each unified receiver is stored in local storage.The method also comprises: receive user's input by peripherals, and input generation data by peripherals according to user, to be delivered to one of unified receiver.The method also comprises: determine a unified receiver with limit priority by peripherals from local storage, and start to the connection of the unified receiver with limit priority.If to the successful connection of unified receiver with limit priority, then the method comprises the unified receiver transferring data to and have limit priority.If unsuccessful to the connection of the unified receiver with limit priority, so the method comprises repetition for having the determining step of unified receiver of next limit priority, setting up procedure and transmitting step, until to one of unified receiver successful connection or until the connection of all unified receiver is all failed.As mentioned above, peripherals can be human interface device.

According to specific embodiment, it is that unified receiver distributes priority that method also comprises based on time span, and from this time span, peripherals has and is connected with the active of each unified receiver.Correspond to and be short to the longest time span most from being up to minimum allocation priority from being connected with unified receiver.

According to another specific embodiment, method also comprises: if establish the connection with a unified receiver of the priority had lower than limit priority in setting up procedure, be then that unified receiver redistributes priority by peripherals.The step redistributed can comprise: for the unified receiver establishing connection redistributes the highest priority.According to a specific embodiment, the step redistributed also comprises other unified receiver do not connected is reduced a priority.

According to an embodiment, a kind of computer system comprises: the receiver being coupled to computing machine, and receiver is configured to the set wireless pairing with peripherals, and receiver is configured to have: with the first subset of the set of peripherals enliven wireless connections; And the inactive wireless connections of the second subset with the set of peripherals, if selected peripherals is operated in the peripherals of wherein inactive set of peripheral devices, then receiver is configured to: stop the active connection for a peripherals in the peripherals of the first subset, peripherals have active connects and has than other, there is the longer non-use time of the active peripherals connected, the active connection of wherein the stopped peripherals for the first subset is switched to the inactive connection of the second subset; And activate the connection with peripherals selected by inactive second subset within the delay period, postpone the period below horizontal to the perception postponing the period people, wherein the peripherals be activated of the second subset is switched to the active connection of the first subset.

According to another embodiment, a kind of computer system comprises: the receiver being coupled to computing machine, receiver is configured to and multiple peripherals wireless pairing, receiver is configured to have and is connected with the active of the set of peripherals, wherein, the quantity of the peripherals that the set of peripherals comprises is less than the number of peripheral devices in multiple peripherals, if and the selected peripherals wherein in peripherals does not arrive the active connection of receiver and selected peripherals is operated, so: i) receiver is configured to for the peripherals of in peripherals, peripherals have active connects and has than other, there is the longer non-use time of the peripherals of active connection, stop the active connection for a peripherals, and ii) after this, receiver is configured to activate the connection with selected peripherals.

In conjunction with following word and accompanying drawing, these and other embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Figure 1A is the rough schematic view of computer system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1B is the rough schematic view of the portable computer shown in Figure 1A;

Fig. 2 is the rough schematic view that can be arranged in the slide switch on HID according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 A can show simplification GUI (graphical user interface) on a portable computer under the control connecting utility routine software;

Fig. 3 B simplifies GUI, and it can show on a portable computer to notify that user's unified receiver has detected user HID under the control connecting utility routine software;

Fig. 3 C simplifies GUI, and it can show on a portable computer to notify user's successful matching under the control connecting utility routine software;

Fig. 4 A is the GUI connecting utility routine software, is used for notifying that user's two unified receiver are inserted in USB port;

Fig. 4 B is the GUI guiding user to remove one of unified receiver;

Fig. 4 C is GUI, and it is configured to guide user to locate slide switch, and slide switch is switched to unlatching to make HID accept pairing from shutoff;

Fig. 4 D is the GUI being configured to notify user's successful matching;

Fig. 4 E is the GUI for notifying all HID that user and unified receiver match;

Fig. 5 is the rough schematic view of instrument panel GUI, and this instrument panel GUI comprises the set of the unified receiver identifier for the unified receiver set of being coupled to portable computer;

Fig. 6 be gather with HID with unified receiver together with the figure that simplifies the operation of the function software of portable computer that operates;

Fig. 7 be gather with enumerator software, unified receiver and HID together with the figure that simplifies the operation of the OS of portable computer that operates;

Fig. 8 is the reduced graph of the USB interface of unified receiver;

Fig. 9 is that example matches the rough schematic view of GUI again, and control utility routine software wherein can be made to be presented on the display of portable computer, again matches process to start to guide user;

Figure 10 is example GUI, wherein connect utility routine software can be configured to be presented on the display of portable computer, with " mouse performance MX " (that is, the particular type of mouse) guiding user to restart user, thus mouse and the unified receiver substituted are matched again;

Figure 11 is example GUI, and it represents successfully pairing and can be shown on a portable computer; And

Figure 12 is example GUI, wherein connects on display that utility routine software can be configured to be presented at portable computer to represent that all HID match with the unified receiver substituted.

Embodiment

The present invention relates generally to be configured for the peripherals used together with computing machine, such as human interface device.More specifically, the invention provides the receiver that is configured to match with multiple peripherals and be configured to run the software module with the receiver received communication from peripherals on computers, wherein this receiver and software module co-operate, to present communication to computing machine, make multiple peripherals can be not interfering with each other with compunication.

Figure 1A is the rough schematic view of computer system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.This computer system comprises portable computer 110 and unified receiver 120.Portable computer 110 can comprise one or more machine readable media 110a (see Figure 1B), such as hard disk drive, CD drive, solid-state memory etc., the computer code according to each embodiment of the present invention can be stored on this machine readable media.Portable computer can have and is one or morely configured to execution and stores on a machine-readable medium that computer code 110c is (such as, the enumerator software below described in detail) processor 110b (see Figure 1B), to affect each computer approach embodiment of the present invention.Unified receiver is relatively little and be configured to be inserted in portable computer, and stays in portable computer for transport and for using in various place.Relatively little unified receiver can not adversely affect the portability of portable computer.Such as, unified receiver can give prominence to about 8 millimeters or less from the connector portable computer.Therefore, unified receiver can be inserted in the connector on portable computer, and can not adversely affect the transport of portable computer and " passing out of mind " due to unified receiver outstanding, does not therefore need to remove for transport from portable computer.This can be referred to as " insert and forget " concept of use.As mentioned herein, receiver can be configured to send and receive radio communication.

Unified receiver is USB (universal serial bus) (USB) receiver according to an embodiment of the invention.That is, unified receiver is configured to communicate with portable computer via usb protocol.

According to one embodiment of present invention, unified receiver is configured to it can be matched with reaching six peripherals (such as human interface device (HID)), such as keyboard 130a, mouse 130b, keyboard 130c, mouse 130d, keypad 130e and mouse 130f.The remainder of instructions discusses HID in detail, but can be applied to more other peripherals of width variety equally to quoting of HID.USB receiver can have for remember pairing and for the treatment of pairing etc. machine readable memory and steering logic (such as, microcontroller etc.).According to can alternative embodiment, unified receiver can be configured to match with more than six HID.HID can be positioned at multiple place, and the various places that portable computer can be transported to residing for HID use for together with unified receiver.Such as, user may want that the portable computer transporting her uses in following place: i) in the family that keyboard 130a and mouse 130b is arranged in; Ii) office (such as, workplace) that is positioned at of keyboard 130c and mouse 130d; And iii) various conveying place, wherein keyboard 130e and mouse 130f can be transported in briefcase, knapsack etc.Will be appreciated that the concrete HID alterable in given place.Such as, at home, user can use tracking ball to replace mouse, or in conveying, she can use disk (puck) and keypad, and does not use mouse.According to an embodiment, for the user of home computer, office computer etc., many users can make its HID and single unified receiver match.Such as, that children can have child-sized or a children special-purpose and gather with the HID that unified receiver matches, father and mother can have standard size or the special HID set of father and mother, and these HID also match with unified receiver.The foregoing describe used aloned example.Those skilled in the art will recognize of the present invention other and use example.

Use the conventional wireless techniques being used for communication between HID and computing machine, special receiver (such as, special USB receiver) has the special pairing with the set of a mouse, a keyboard or a keyboard and a mouse usually.As in this area understand, pairing comprise following process: wherein HID and receiver are configured to identify each other for carrying out radio communication betwixt.Special pairing generally refers to following process: one of them or may two HID and receiver identify each other for radio communication, but can not identify that other HID or receiver are for radio communication.

If user wants the mixing HID connecting multiple HID or the HID from different sets, then the dedicated receiver of connector (such as, USB port) that generally will hold on some computing machines being attached to her of user.Because connector quantity available on portable computer is limited, and along with user use HID quantity increase, these dedicated receivers are easy to take most or all connectors.The embodiment of the present invention comprising unified receiver is partly developed and reaches six wireless HID for the support of a single USB receiver, and solves the problem that the connector on portable computer is occupied full.Usually, if all connectors on portable computer are occupied full, and new HID will use together with computing machine, then the various HID needing each dedicated receiver to use according to user and disconnect and reconnect.

Embodiments of the invention provide such function, and user customizes wireless network (such as, Star Network) by her wireless HID and unified receiver being matched to build.Usually, if wireless device (such as, bluetooth earphone) and receiver (such as, having the mobile phone of bluetooth capability) match, then usually require that the user action of equipment side carrys out " unblock " equipment and allows itself and receiver to match.Many wireless devices comprise the button being exclusively used in pairing mandate and pairing activation.Many wireless devices also comprise shutoff/opening switch, not to be installed in bag for preserving the energy content of battery during long-distance travel by during use or at wireless device in equipment longer period of time.

Fig. 2 is the rough schematic view of the slide switch 200 that can be arranged according to an embodiment of the invention on HID.Slide switch is configured to the power supply switching on and off HID, and opens selection period (such as, being less than a second), and in this selection period, HID can be authorized to start to match with unified receiver.That is, in order to activate the pairing mode on HID, slide switch moves to " unlatching " from " shutoff ", if or HID open, so slide switch moves to " shutoff " from " unlatching " and moves to " unlatching " again.Pairing mode is the operator scheme of unified receiver and/or HID, and unified receiver and HID can match mutually in this mode.If unified receiver and HID pairing, then unified receiver and HID will identify each other, to carry out in-between communicating for control laptop computer.

Because two different functions (power supply and pairing) are started by the single slide switch being switched to " unlatchings " from " shutoffs ", accident when therefore avoiding HID to connect choose opportunities available for pairing one-tenth is matched.Therefore, when slide switch is configured to " unlatching ", first HID attempts (about one second) reconnects to the unified receiver that HID is finally connected to.If HID can reconnect to this unified receiver, then this represent unified receiver energising and nearby.In this case, because hypothesis user does not want to set up new pairing, therefore HID does not enter pairing mode.

If reconnect failure, then this represents that the last unified receiver that HID matches with it is not energized, or not nearby.In this case, HID enters pairing mode, to set up new pairing from different unified receiver.HID can enter about 500 milliseconds or less of pairing mode.If the unified receiver being in pairing mode is identified by HID during this time window, then HID and this unified receiver match and exit pairing mode.The new pairing of HID rewrites previous any pairing, means that HID only can match with a receiver at every turn.HID can comprise the communication facilities for communicating with unified receiver.Communication facilities can comprise processor and receiver, and it is configured to be controlled to communicate for unified receiver by processor.Processor and receiver can be configured to separately or co-operate to detect from turning off the slide switch that is switched to unlatching and performing discussed above reconnecting and pairing step.

If HID will match with wireless receiver, then usually also require that the user action on receiver matches to authorize receiver and HID.Some receivers based on other radiotelegraphy (such as, 27 megahertz technology, patent 2.4 kilo-mega cycles per second technology etc.) comprise the button being pressed to authorize pairing.Due to the relatively little form factor of unified receiver, if during therefore unified receiver inserts on a portable computer connector or at two between USB cable, memory stick etc., then user will be difficult to reach connection button.Therefore, the pairing of unified receiver activates and is controlled by software application, and this software application is stored on the computer-readable medium of portable computer, and is performed by the processor of portable computer.For convenience's sake, this software application is referred to as " connection utility routine " software here.This connection utility routine software can be included in be enumerated in software.

Connect utility routine software to be configured to provide user interface (such as, graphical user interface), thus: pairing i) impelling subscriber authorisation unified receiver and HID; Or ii) automatically unified receiver is placed in pairing mode when connecting utility routine software and starting.That is, connect utility routine software can be configured to guide the processor of portable computer to send order to enter pairing mode to unified receiver.Usually, what unified receiver entered pairing mode at HID advances into pairing mode.Once authorize pairing, then unified receiver can keep authorizing a period of time, such as 30 to 60 seconds, makes user authorize the pairing of HID if having time.That is, user reads any on-screen message of being presented to user by connection utility routine software by being given the sufficient time, and after this locates have the sufficient time for slide switch, and is slided into " unlatching " from " shutoff " by slide switch.If be in the HID of pairing mode by unified receiver identification, then unified receiver and this HID match, and then exit pairing mode.

According to an embodiment, connect utility routine software and be configured to show GUI, with indicating user, the slide switch on HID is slided into " unlatching " from " shutoff ", thus authorize the pairing between unified receiver and HID.Fig. 3 A is the GUI simplified, and it can show on a portable computer under the control connecting utility routine software.This GUI is configured to guide user to be slided into " unlatching " from " shutoff " by slide switch.Fig. 3 B is the GUI simplified, and it can show on a portable computer, to notify that user's unified receiver has detected user HID (such as, mouse M700rc) under the control connecting utility routine software.Unified receiver and HID be all authorized to (that is, being all in pairing mode) paired with each other after, these equipment can perform pairing process.Those skilled in the art becomes known for the step performing pairing process, and will not describe at this.Fig. 3 C is the GUI simplified, and it can show on a portable computer to notify user's successful matching under the control connecting utility routine software.If match unsuccessful, then can show can alternative GUI.

According to an embodiment, whether connection utility routine software is configured to detect multiple unified receiver and is inserted in the USB port of portable computer.If multiple unified receiver is inserted in USB port, then connects utility routine software and can be configured to guide user to carry out pairing process, two HID set for two unified receiver are all matched with one of unified receiver.Such as, connecting utility routine software can via GUI (such as, Fig. 4 A) notify that user's two unified receiver are inserted into USB port, and can want to make this connection utility routine software make all only to match with one of unified receiver for two HID set of two unified receiver with indicating user to the input of user's requesting computer.Make two HID gather the option all matched with a unified receiver if user have selected, then this connection utility routine software is configured to control portable computer display GUI, such as, thus guides user to carry out this pairing process.Such as, in order to make two HID set all match with one of unified receiver, the USB port that the bootable user of connection utility routine software connects from it removes one of unified receiver.Such as, see the GUI shown in Fig. 4 B, wherein this GUI guides user to remove one of unified receiver.Then, connect the bootable processor of utility routine software and remaining unified receiver connected is placed in acceptance pairing.Connect the slide switch set that utility routine software can be configured to guide user (such as, via GUI, see Fig. 4 C) pilot pin to gather this HID, and slide switch set is switched to unlatching from shutoff, to accept pairing for this HID set.GUI subsequently shown in Fig. 4 D can notify user's successful matching.As the result of pairing, two HID set are matched with a unified receiver.Connect utility routine software can be configured to another GUI is shown on a portable computer, notify that all HID in user's two HID set match with unified receiver.Such as, see Fig. 4 E.

According to one embodiment of present invention, connect utility routine software and be configured to provide " instrument panel " utility routine, should be configured to provide the controlled option of multiple user for the HID of leading subscriber via portable computer by " instrument panel " utility routine.Connect utility routine software can be configured in instrument panel GUI, present the controlled option of user.Fig. 5 is the rough schematic view of the instrument panel GUI500 of instrument panel utility routine according to an embodiment of the invention.Instrument panel GUI500 comprises the unified receiver indications set 510 for the unified receiver set of being coupled to portable computer.Here used " set " comprises one or more element.Such as, unified receiver set comprises one or more unified receiver.According to considered example, the instrument panel GUI500 shown in Fig. 5 identifies two unified receiver 510a and 510b and is coupled to portable computer USB port.

Instrument panel GUI500 also comprises HID indications set 520, this HID set of gathering for each HID and matches with the unified receiver set of being coupled to portable computer.According to example meter plate GUI500, mouse and the unified receiver 510a with HID indications M505/B605 match.According to example meter plate GUI500, there is the numeric keypad of HID indications N305/B505, there is first mouse of HID indications M700rc, there is second mouse of HID indications M700rc and there is the keyboard of HID indications K700 and unified receiver 510b matches.

According to an embodiment, such as, if detect that two unified receiver are coupled with portable computer, then instrument panel utility routine is configured to provide user-selectable options, for HID and given unified receiver being matched.More than describe this pairing in detail.Instrument panel utility routine also can be configured to provide user-selectable options, for being matched from unified receiver solution by HID.Instrument panel utility routine also can be configured to provide user-selectable options, for the firmware of renewal is loaded into user HID and unified receiver from website.Each user-selectable options can be rendered as button screen, drop-down menu, floating menu etc. on instrument panel GUI500.

As described briefly above, instrument panel utility routine is configured to present (such as, on instrument panel GUI500) HID indications for the HID matched with unified receiver, and this unified receiver is coupled to portable computer.According to an embodiment, the HID indications HID indications that instrument panel utility routine presents and the shell of HID showing (such as, printing) is identical.Such as, the HID indications M505 of the mouse matched with unified receiver 510a or B605 is printed on the shell of mouse, such as in the bottom of mouse.Therefore, user can identify that her which HID and unified receiver match relatively rapidly.According to an embodiment, each HID is configured to store its HID indications.During matching or afterwards, each HID is configured to its HID indications is supplied to the connection software utility run on a portable computer.HID indications be supplied to from HID and connect the needs that software utility eliminates look-up table, this look-up table is provided to the HID indications for connecting in software utility or other utility routine.In addition, in HID, provide HID indications to allow manufacturer to send new HID, it can identify their HID indications to portable computer, thus does not need to can be used for creating new HID indications list and being distributed to user when selling at new HID.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, instrument panel utility routine is configured to provide current " use indications " by the HID of user operation.In GUI500, illustrated that use indications 540 is in use to indicate which user HID current to user.Shown after the key, rolling mouse, pressing keypad button etc. that use indications can press on keyboard that pressure such as match with unified receiver user, thus the input of generation from HID to portable computer.The concrete advantage using the display of indications to provide is: if user has the identical HID that two have identical HID indications, then user can operate one of HID (the use indications see in GUI500), and knows which HID corresponds to the HID indications shown in GUI500.If two identical HID match from the different unified receiver used together with portable computer, then use the utility routine that the display of indications provides extra.

As discussed above, nearly six HID can match with unified receiver according to an embodiment of the invention.According to can alternative embodiment, more or less HID can match with unified receiver.That is, six HID can be exposed to the operating system (OS) of portable computer for therewith using.One embodiment of the present of invention comprise enumerator software 110c (see Figure 1B, wherein 110c specifies the computer code of all embodiments of the present invention), enumerate software 110c to be configured to be stored on the computer-readable medium of portable computer, and control the operation of the processor of portable computer, make multiple (such as, nearly 6) HID can be exposed to OS, and all controlling functions of nearly 6 HID such as can be used together with portable computer.Controlling functions comprises following function: HID is configured to perform this function to control the various aspects of portable computer, is such as controlled cursor by rolling mouse, " is pressed " button screen, by key string coming input alphabet, numeral etc. pressing lower keyboard etc. by pressing mouse button.Enumerator software is between the OS and unified receiver of portable computer.That is, the order that enumerator software intercepts is sent for OS by unified receiver, and this order is suitably delivered to OS, make available portable computer use all controlling functions of HID.Enumerator software also intercepts the order sent for unified receiver by OS, and these orders are suitably delivered to unified receiver.

In order to help the method for operating of the enumerator software understood on portable computer, first will the method for operating not having the portable computer of enumerator software be described.Fig. 6 is the figure that simplifies the operation of the function software 600 of portable computer, this portable computer and unified receiver 120 gather 130 with HID together with operate.If use unified receiver when not enumerating software, then unified receiver is to the HID collection required for OS statement support keyboard and a mouse (that is, a no more than keyboard and a no more than mouse).Because each HID collection is only declared once, therefore from the merged OS being forwarded to use same set of similar report of different HID.Therefore, software cannot distinguish the similar report of the different HID (such as, two keyboards) from same type.Therefore, different settings can not be applied to the different HID of same type by OS.Such as, if two mouses are connected to same receiver, then different acceleration curves can not be specified for each mouse.If this especially bothers when one of two " mouses " are actually touch pad.It is to be particularly noted that those skilled in the art understands HID collection, HID report etc. completely, and will no longer describe at this.

Fig. 7 is the application drawing gathering the simplification of the OS600 of the portable computer run together with 130 with enumerator software 700, unified receiver 120 and HID.According to an embodiment, enumerator software is configured to allow OS while the quantity limiting the collection that (such as minimizing) exposes to the open air OS, and process is from the report of each HID separately.When not having enumerator software, even if when the unique HID used together with unified receiver is such as simple mouse, unified receiver still needs to expose to the open air more than 30 collection OS substantially constantly.This relatively large collection quantity is by enumerating the time (this time comprises the time for installing the software supporting HID) of needing to grow very much, and the chaotic list of HID will be created in Windows equipment manager, thus system instability may be caused.

When for perform on a portable computer and start enumerator software time, its be configured to collect all at present and the receiver list of HID of matching, and collect the sublist of all Report Types that each HID supports.Based on the list of collected HID and the sublist of all Report Types, enumerator software is configured to the correct number to OS statement with the HID of the set of suitable HID collection.Report that the correct number of HID and the set of suitable HID collection are commonly referred to as the enumeration stage (or enumeration operation) enumerated software and perform to OS.

After enumerator software completes enumeration stage, enumerator software sends " switching " instruction to unified receiver.After unified receiver receives switching command, unified receiver stops in USB interface 0 and 1 and issues standard HID report.The substitute is, unified receiver is configured to add label to all RF reports that enters from HID, and in USB interface 2, use enumerator collection 710 (also marking with alphabetical DJ) to add the report of label to OS forwarding.Below describe and be used for adding tagged multiple label to the RF of input report by unified receiver.Enumerator software is configured in the report received from unified receiver, use these labels to format these reports and these to be reported routes are to the suitable HID driver run on a portable computer.Because those skilled in the art understands the device driver for HID very much, so will be not described in detail at this, just should be noted that the particular device driver for specific HID makes this specific HID can be allowed to use its all controlling functions relevant with portable computer.Due to the report received by enumerator software route, the suitable HID driver for each HID can use its all controlling functions relevant to portable computer.The report received each HID with arrow 730 pointer from enumerator software to device stack 740a-740f is in the figure 7 to the route of the driver of HID.

Concise and to the point description USB interface.Fig. 8 is the figure of the simplification of the USB interface of unified receiver.The functional of enumerator software is partly managed via USB interface 2, and USB interface 2 is different to USB interface 0 and 1.The independent driver that this structure of USB interface makes enumerator software can be used as on portable computer.USB interface 2 (mark 750 in Fig. 7) is also referred to as enumerator interface sometimes at this, and it comprises following HID collection and report:

Short HID++ collection: supplier's page 1: use 1

ο short HID++ report supplier's page 1: use 1, report id0x10 (7 byte)

Long HID++ collection: supplier's page 1: use 2

ο long HID++ report supplier's page 1: use 2, report id0x11 (20 byte)

Enumerator collection: supplier's page 1: use 4

The ο short enumerator report supplier page 1: use 0x41, report id0x20 (15 byte)

The ο long enumerator report supplier page 1: use 0x42, report id0x21 (32 byte)

Schematically illustrate enumerator collection.Enumerator collection is the common user communication channel between enumerator software and unified receiver.USB does not support variable report size.Therefore, two kinds of enumerator reports with different size are defined.The report of short enumerator is defined as the standard HID report of transmitting between HID and enumerator software, and order between unified receiver and enumerator software and notice.Long enumerator report is defined as the longer non-standard HID report of transmitting between HID and enumerator software.

According to USB HID, the report id illustrated above reports that descriptor defines reported lengths.The destination of the bag in the origin of the packet in HID index instruction upstream transmission (HID is to unified receiver to enumerator software) and downstream transmission (enumerator software is to unified receiver):

0x01 to 0x06: wireless device

Oxff: receiver

Report type identifier closes the type of the useful load of identifier.256 kinds of possible Report Types are organized as following three kinds:

0x00 to 0x3f:HID reports

0x40 to 0x7f: enumerator notifies

0x80 to 0xff: enumerator order

If enumerator software be on a portable computer active (such as, the enumerator pattern of operation on a portable computer), then unified receiver is configured to enter to all HID from matching with unified receiver report and add head (header), and via USB interface 2 (enumerator interface) to these reports of the enumerator software forward performed.Enumerator head comprises report id, is equipment index after report id.The Report Type be included in enumerator report mates with to adding tagged RF Report Type by all reports of radio signal transmission.

HID reports:

Report Type=0x01: keyboard is reported

Report Type=0x02: mouse is reported

Report Type=0x03: user controls

Report Type=0x04: Systematical control

According to an embodiment, enumerator order by enumerator software application to control the operation of unified receiver.The list that enumerator order also makes enumerator software can retrieve the HID of pairing and the sublist of collection supported by each HID.Enumerator order also makes enumerator software individually each HID can be switched to enumerator pattern from acquiescence HID pattern.

Enumerator order:

Report Type=0x80: switch to enumerator pattern

Report Type=0x81: the list obtaining paired device

Enumerator notice make unified receiver can: i) by the pairing event of HID and unpaired event transfer to enumerator software, ii) connection status of HID is delivered to enumerator software, and iii) error condition is delivered to enumerator software.

Enumerator notifies:

Report Type=0x40: equipment does not match

Report Type=0x41: device pairing

Report Type=0x42: connection status changes

Report Type=0x7F: mistake

Allocated bandwidth and by HID and the combined use of unified receiver is described.Before the specific embodiment describing allocated bandwidth, the brief background for the RF channel for HID and receiver is provided to describe.Generally speaking, receiver (such as USB receiver) selects idle RF channel to communicate thereon, and continues to communicate on this RF channel with the HID that unified receiver matches.In optimal conditions, if the HID having data will be transferred to receiver knows that the RF channel of this free time listened to by this receiver, then this HID can perform this transmission relatively quickly.Under deficient optimal conditions, if external interference source (such as WLAN) becomes active, if or change in the desktop configure using HID and receiver cause the strong attenuation of RF channel, then receiver may need to select different RF channels.If receiver have selected different RF channels, then the HID having data will be transferred to receiver may need successfully can transmit data to receiver thus to before portable computer, search receiver on all possible RF channel at it.To the search of the channel that receiver is being listened to usually cause on the operation of HID and portable computer to the delay between the reply of this operation.User may perceive and draws this delay, and may feel horrible.For avoiding this delay, no longer include HID that data will transmit to continue with the interval transmission of the rule beacon signal (be sometimes also referred to as and keep active report) that " keeps active " to follow the RF channel that receiver is listened to, and make the delay minimization next time needing to transfer data to receiver.Keep enlivening the report that beacon signal normally has sky useful load (namely not needing the order performed on a portable computer).This is commonly referred to as the active connection of RF, and wherein HID sends data to receiver substantially continuously, or wherein HID transmission maintenance enlivens beacon signal to receiver.

Reach 6 HID with single unified receiver support, in allocated bandwidth, there is challenge.Although the theoretical bandwidth of 2.4GHz radio link is relatively high, but the system of reality distributes massive band width to be supplied to the common use of the multiple HID in given radio channel for " spending (overhead) " management, and provides system to have the release of the external disturbance of negative effect to polytype use to RF channel.If the connection more than 3 that the inventor of embodiments of the invention determines for 3 HID enlivens simultaneously, then the link quality for RF channel is generally difficult to be guaranteed.In order to overcome bandwidth restriction, have developed method according to one embodiment of present invention, the inactive for inactive HID is connected the method hung up when reaching and enlivening the maximal value of 3 active connections of HID for 3.That is, according to various embodiments of the present invention, unified receiver maintains the active connection reaching 3 for 3 HID.

Because what connect that the HID that is suspended " can not follow " that receiver listening to enlivens RF channel, if so when the connection of the HID for hang-up needs to be reactivated unified receiver be moved to another RF channel, may delay be caused.In order to this delay be remained on minimum (be such as equal to or less than human user and can perceive the duration) substantially, embodiments of the invention provide comparatively faster and reconnect process.

Embodiments of the invention use 4 communication pipes of the communication be used between HID and unified receiver.Pipeline is the logic channel of shared same RF channel.3 HID communication pipes are assigned to active HID and connect.4th communication for service pipeline is exclusively used in reconnecting of the HID be suspended.

If the HID be suspended detects user behavior (button on such as keyboard is pressed), and need to reconnect (namely rebuilding its active connection) to unified receiver, then this HID is configured to via this service pipeline to unified receiver transmission first report.Using service pipeline to transmit normal report is that implicit expression reconnects request.If unified receiver receives report on service pipeline, then whether unified receiver is configured to fox message from the HID matched.If HID and this unified receiver match, then unified receiver is issued and is reported that also distributing equipment pipeline is to HID on USB.Then HID is connected, and on the equipment pipe distributing to this HID, send all portfolios subsequently.If report is not the HID from pairing, then report to be abandoned by unified receiver and the request that reconnects is left in the basket.Should notice that HID is without any need for about distributing to its information of equipment pipe.Pipeline distribution is the process of " only receiver ", and the identification byte wherein distributing to HID during matching is programmed to the input filter of equipment pipe.Described embodiment avoids transmitting the exchange of the extra-service bag before the first useful report.Therefore, described embodiment makes the delay reconnected to be remained user's subtle amount arrived usually.

HID hangs up by present description.If be active for 3 connections of 3 HID, and another HID attempts to reconnect to unified receiver, then unified receiver is configured to one of 3 active connections for one of 3 HID be hung up before equipment pipe being distributed to the HID reconnected.To the selection of the HID that will hang up based on from institute's elapsed time since receiving a upper report from this HID.Particularly, the HID having the longest inactive time period is suspended.Should be noted when determining the inactive time period, not considering the bag for keeping active connection sent by HID.

Because expect to have shorter delay to completing of connection request again, being hung up by HID should be the action that can carry out relatively quickly.Receiver does not notify the HID being placed in hang-up.Therefore, being hung up by HID is the one-side action of unified receiver, and wherein unified receiver removes the distribution to equipment pipe.When corresponding HID is by when recognizing that unified receiver no longer confirms any transmission from HID, HID will enter off-state.The User Activity next time of HID is detected by unified receiver, and this HID will send report and reconnect to cause on service pipeline.

According to an embodiment, the connection utility routine software run on a portable computer is configured to HID set and " substituting " unified receiver again to match, and wherein this HID set was once matched with the unified receiver lost or damage.The unified receiver substituted is " blank " normally, and this refers to alternative unified receiver and matches with any equipment HID.According to an embodiment, connect the list that utility routine software is configured to store the HID that (such as, on the machine readable media of portable computer) matches with given unified receiver.According to another embodiment, if such as employ multiple unified receiver together with portable computer, can by connection utility routine software merit rating for storing multiple HID list.Alternatively, connect the list that utility routine software can be configured to store the whole HID used together with each unified receiver, the plurality of unified receiver uses together with portable computer.The HID list stored can comprise for HID and alternative unified receiver being matched again useful information.

In pairing process again, according to an embodiment, if store multiple HID list in the machine readable memory of portable computer, connect utility routine software the plurality of HID list can be configured to be presented on the display of portable computer, make user that user can be selected to wish and the HID list that the unified receiver substituted matches again.Can alternative embodiment according to one, connect the single list that utility routine software can be configured to show the whole HID used together with the unified receiver being coupled to portable computer.Connect utility routine software can be provided for selecting the user of the specific HID again matched with the unified receiver substituted to select option.Can alternative embodiment according to another, if employ a unified receiver together with portable computer, then connect utility routine software and the HID that only display and this unified receiver matchs is matched again for alternative unified receiver.According to an embodiment, each HID and unified receiver match or unpaired time, if or HID is moved to another unified receiver from a unified receiver, one or more list of the HID matched by the connection utility routine software upgrading on the machine readable memory of portable computer and one or more unified receiver.

hID and the unified receiver substituted are matched again

According to an embodiment, if the unified receiver substituted is inserted into the USB port of portable computer, the connection utility routine software then run on a portable computer is configured to be placed on the display of portable computer by again matching GUI, carries out the pairing process again of HID set again being matched with the unified receiver substituted to guide user.Fig. 9 matches the rough schematic view of example of GUI again, and control utility routine software wherein can be made to be presented on the display of portable computer, again matches process to start to guide user.Again the GUI matched can be configured to inform that alternative unified receiver has been inserted into the USB port of portable computer by user user.According to an embodiment, portable computer is configured to not match with any HID to determine that this unified receiver is alternative unified receiver via detection unified receiver.Portable computer can be configured to the local storage of inquiry unified receiver to retrieve the look-up table wherein storing the information of the HID of pairing.If look-up table is empty (such as, not recording the information of the HID of pairing) substantially, then portable computer is configured to determine that this unified receiver is alternative unified receiver.

Again the GUI that matches can comprise chart and/or analog does not have HID to match with the unified receiver substituted to indicate to user at present.Whether the GUI that again matches can be configured to just user is ready HID set again to match to inquire user with the unified receiver (the initial unified receiver wherein matched with HID is lost or damaged) substituted.Again the GUI that matches can comprise button screen etc., by this button, again the GUI (thus connecting utility routine software) that matches can receive the input from user, and whether this input indicating user is ready is matched with the unified receiver substituted again by HID set.If user indicates it to be ready HID set again to match with the unified receiver substituted, then the method for again matching terminates.

According to an embodiment, if connect utility routine software receipt via again matching the input of GUI from user, this is input as user and is ready the HID of user set again to match with the unified receiver substituted, then connect utility routine software and show subsequently for guiding user to be gathered by the GUI that each HID and alternative unified receiver match again.The process of again matching and the process basic simlarity that HID is matched with the unified receiver being different from the initial unified receiver that HIP matches.Connect utility routine software and can be configured to display GUI etc., this GUI guiding user is restarted, and (such as, close and then open) wishes the selection with one of the HID that the unified receiver substituted matches again to user.Figure 10 is the example of GUI1000, wherein connect utility routine software can be configured to be presented on the display of portable computer, user " mouse performance MX " is restarted (namely to guide user, the particular type of mouse), thus mouse and the unified receiver substituted are matched again.GUI1000 can comprise text and chart, with the HID helping user to restart user.Above-detailed concrete details that HID and unified receiver are matched.If HID successfully matches again with the unified receiver substituted, then connect utility routine software and can be configured to indicate to user successfully again match.Such as, connect utility routine software and can be configured to control portable computer display GUI, successfully again match to indicate.Figure 11 is the example of GUI1100, and it indicates successfully pairing and can be shown on a portable computer.The GUI that instruction is successfully matched again can comprise button screen (such as " next " button screen) etc., has other HID again can to match with the unified receiver substituted to indicate in HID list.If " next " button screen is selected, then connect the pairing again that the bootable user of utility routine software carries out another HID and alternative unified receiver.If all HID of user match again with the unified receiver substituted, then connect utility routine software and can be configured to point out that all HID are paired to user.Figure 12 is example GUI1200, wherein connects utility routine software and can be configured to be presented on the display of portable computer, all again matches with the unified receiver substituted to indicate all HID.GUI1200 can comprise the list 1205 of all HID again matched with the unified receiver substituted.GUI1200 can provide the screen selectable option 1210 for being matched with the unified receiver substituted by other HID, and can provide the screen selectable option 1215 for stopping process of again matching.Although the method discussion of again matching above-mentioned uses GUI again to match process to guide user, and other interface on portable computer also can be used again to match to guide user, such as text instruction, can instruction etc. be listened.

many masters (multi-master) equipment

According to each embodiment described above, HID is configured to match with single unified receiver.The pairing of HID and single unified receiver is referred to as " single main " (single master) and configures.In single main configuration, HID stores unified receiver address and the encryption key relevant with the wireless link to unified receiver in HID local storage.If HID (in single main configuration) matches with the second unified receiver, then HID is configured to the address of rewriting the first unified receiver in local storage with the address of the second unified receiver, and rewrites the encryption key of the wireless link for the first unified receiver with the encryption key of the wireless link being used for the second unified receiver.That is, HID and the first unified receiver " are separated and are matched " and match with the second unified receiver subsequently.The local storage of the HID in single main configuration can represent by with following table 1.

Receiver address	Encryption key
		Address #1	Key #1

Table 1

According to of the present invention one can alternative embodiment, HID can match with multiple unified receiver.The pairing of HID and multiple unified receiver is referred to as how main configuration.In how main configuration, such as, the first unified receiver can be inserted into the USB port of the first portable computer, and the second unified receiver can be inserted into the USB port of the second portable computer.The HID matched with the first and second unified receiver can be configured to these two unified receiver mutual, and controls both the first and second portable computers.Although aforementioned exemplary describes the HID matched with two unified receiver, the HID according to current described embodiment can match with the unified receiver more than two.In addition, each unified receiver can be configured to match with multiple HID as above.

Be configured to by the HID of how main configuration the address storing the multiple unified receiver matched with HID in local storage, and be configured to the encryption key of the wireless link storing described multiple unified receiver in local storage.The local storage of the HID how in main configuration can represent by with following table 2.

Receiver address	Encryption key	Preferentially
			Address #1	Key #1	3
Address #2	Key #2	1
			Address #3	Key #3	4
Address #4	Key #4	2

Table 2

Can alternative embodiment (according to how main configuration and single main both configurations) according to one, configuration/unpaired message (such as address, encryption key, priority etc.) is stored by the software be positioned on a portable computer, and can be stored in the storer of portable computer.

According to one embodiment of present invention, priority is set for each each unified receiver matched with HID.The priority arranged with the active time span be connected that is each unified receiver for unified receiver that is that have based on HID.Such as, there is with it to HID the unified receiver assigned highest priority (such as 1) of the connection of nearest time.The unified receiver with it to HID with the connection of second near time distributes time high priority (such as 2).The unified receiver with it to HID with the connection of the 3rd near time distributes next limit priority (such as 3).The unified receiver with it to HID with the connection of time at most distributes lowest priority (such as 4).The HID that should understand in how main configuration can match with greater or less than 4 unified receiver, and above-described embodiment is exemplary.

If the HID in how main configuration has data to be transferred to unified receiver, then this HID is configured to the unified receiver attempted with having the limit priority be stored in the local storage of HID and reconnects.If with have limit priority unified receiver reconnect successfully, then HID will transmit data give this unified receiver.If with have limit priority unified receiver reconnect failure, then HID will attempt to reconnect the unified receiver being assigned with the second high priority.This trial to reconnecting will continue until complete the trial of all unified receiver always, or until with the reconnecting successfully of one of unified receiver.By the unified receiver sending data to HID from HID and successfully connect.If the unified receiver reconnected with HID is not the unified receiver being assigned with limit priority, then the priority in the local storage of HID is reallocated.Later is reconnected, limit priority is distributed to the unified receiver reconnected with HID.According to a specific embodiment, HID is configured to the priority of other unified receiver all to reduce one-level.According to can alternative scheme, the priority of other unified receiver can be reduced other progression.Such as, the unified receiver before with limit priority will be assigned with the second high priority etc.Although should notice that the HID in how main configuration can match with multiple unified receiver simultaneously, this HID can have active connection at any given time and one of these unified receiver.Therefore, can accept only having a unified receiver data transmitted by HID in the given moment.

Should be appreciated that above-mentioned example and embodiment only for illustration of, and those skilled in the art can expect being included in the multiple amendment according to these examples and embodiment in the scope of claims and the spirit and scope of the application or change.Such as, this instructions discusses the use of unified receiver together with portable computer and enumerator software in multiple place.Portable computer can be any computing machine (desk-top computer, notebook, flat computer etc.) for the mankind use and configure.In addition, enumerator software can be firmware, hardware or its combination in some embodiments.In addition, term software comprises software code, compiled code and carrys out the instruction run on a personal computer of the compiled code that comfortable processor or other parts of personal computer perform as used herein.In addition, although HID is described as being configured to match with unified receiver by this instructions, other peripherals (such as wireless printer, scanner etc.) also can match with unified receiver.In addition, although describe matching for guiding user to pass through to carry out, again matching, the multiple GUI of the various procedures such as discovery, be to be understood that the plurality of devices (text, can listen instruction etc.) not comprising GUI can be used to guide user's complete process.Therefore, restriction scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims should be interpreted as by describing above.

Claims (12)

1. a computer system, comprising:

Be coupled to the receiver of computing machine, described receiver is configured to the set wireless pairing with peripherals, and described receiver is configured to have:

With the first subset of the set of described peripherals enliven wireless connections; And

With the inactive wireless connections of the second subset of the set of described peripherals,

If selected peripherals is operated in the peripherals of wherein described inactive set of peripheral devices, then described receiver is configured to:

Stop the active connection for a peripherals in the described peripherals of described first subset, a described peripherals have active connects and has than other, there is the longer non-use time of the active described peripherals connected, the active connection of wherein the stopped described peripherals for described first subset is switched to the inactive connection of described second subset; And

The connection with peripherals selected by described inactive second subset is activated within the delay period, the described delay period is below horizontal to the perception postponing the period people, and the peripherals be activated of wherein said second subset is switched to the active connection of described first subset.

2. computer system according to claim 1, wherein, the first subset of described peripherals comprises 3 peripherals at the most.

3. computer system according to claim 1, wherein, the set of described peripherals comprises 6 peripherals at the most.

4. computer system according to claim 1, wherein, described receiver is configured to the enterprising Serial Communication of multiple pipelines on an rf channel, and one of wherein said multiple ducted pipeline is arranged to and reconnects, and described multiple other pipeline ducted is arranged to active connection.

5. computer system according to claim 4, wherein, described multiple pipeline comprises 4 pipelines.

6. computer system according to claim 1, wherein, described peripherals comprises human interface device.

7. a computer system, comprising:

Be coupled to the receiver of computing machine, described receiver is configured to and multiple peripherals wireless pairing, and described receiver is configured to have and is connected with the active of the set of described peripherals,

Wherein, the quantity of the peripherals that the set of described peripherals comprises is less than the number of peripheral devices in described multiple peripherals, and

If the selected peripherals wherein in described peripherals does not arrive the active connection of described receiver and selected peripherals is operated, so:

I) described receiver is configured to for the peripherals of in described peripherals, a described peripherals have active connects and has than other, there is the longer non-use time of the described peripherals of active connection, stop the active connection for a described peripherals; And

Ii) after this, described receiver is configured to activate the connection with selected peripherals.

8. computer system according to claim 7, wherein, described receiver is configured to the enterprising Serial Communication of multiple pipelines on an rf channel, and a wherein said multiple ducted pipeline is arranged to and reconnects, and described multiple other pipeline ducted is arranged to active connection.

9. computer system according to claim 8, wherein, described multiple pipeline comprises 4 pipelines.

10. computer system according to claim 7, wherein, the set of described peripherals comprises 3 peripherals at the most.

11. computer systems according to claim 7, wherein, described multiple peripherals comprises 6 peripherals at the most.

12. computer systems according to claim 7, wherein, described peripherals comprises human interface device.