JP3853465B2 - Infrared wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication device and an input device that convert a signal of a character input device such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse into infrared rays and transmit the signal.
[0002]
In recent years, information devices such as personal computers that have been used for business use have begun to penetrate into the home, but since they are originally used for business use, long cables are naturally included. Long cables are in the way. In the future, as these information devices become more widespread, the demand for cable-less devices will increase.
[0003]
For this reason, it has become necessary to transmit data wirelessly using radio waves or infrared rays.
In the following description, we will explain separately for the purposes of (A) preventing data errors and ensuring reliable data transmission and reducing power consumption, and (B) enabling multiple devices to be used simultaneously.
[0004]
[Prior art]
(A) Conventionally, radio waves and infrared rays have been used as wireless systems, but they were not always satisfactory in terms of short transmission distance, short life, and poor usability. Therefore, it is necessary to extend the transmission distance and reduce the power consumption to extend the service life.
[0005]
(B) In addition, the infrared wireless system causes interference of infrared data when devices are used at the same time, and effective data is not transmitted, and simultaneous use is impossible. On the other hand, in the radio wave system, each device can be recognized by changing the modulation frequency, and therefore, a plurality of devices can be used simultaneously.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
(A) An object of the present invention is to perform reliable data transmission and reduce power consumption in an infrared wireless transmission device by preventing data errors.
[0007]
(B) Also, compared with the current wired system using cables, the wireless system is expensive.
An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can use a plurality of devices at the same time by a low-cost infrared communication system.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The solution to the above problem is
(A):
1) A bit data sequence of a signal is converted into a sub-modulated infrared pulse train and transmitted wirelessly, and the bit data is composed of a time interval between the infrared pulse train of a certain length subjected to the sub-modulation and the next infrared pulse train. An infrared wireless communication apparatus using a data transmission method for identifying 0 ”and“ 1 ”by the difference in time interval, wherein a reader pulse and an end pulse having a time interval other than“ 0 ”or“ 1 ”are respectively Inserted before and after the bit data string and invalidates the bit data string if the receiving device does not receive the reader pulse more than the specified number of times or if the entire length of the bit data string is not within the specified range Infrared wireless communication device, or 2) “0”, “1”, the difference in time interval of each infrared pulse train identifying the leader pulse and end pulse is the length of the infrared pulse train More than double, and the threshold value of the time for identification is set to the half of the sum of the time intervals of “0” and “1”, and the sum of the time intervals of “1” and the reader pulse. The infrared wireless communication device according to 1 above, which is set to a length of time of 1/2, or 3) the infrared wireless communication device according to 1 above, wherein an infrared pulse train is obtained by subjecting a bit data string to a series of sub-modulations. The wireless input device that converts to and sends to, and the control that stops the clock after all keys are turned off, enters the stop mode in which only hardware interrupts are valid, and returns the next key input as hardware interrupt input infrared wireless communication device and a device, or 4) an infrared wireless communication apparatus of the first aspect, the data sequence to be transmitted is made from the status area and a data area, the status area key input device or port And a sub-ID to determine the device number of the device ID and device for determining the emissions computing device, make / break discriminating bit for discriminating the data area presses the key (makeup) and to release the key (break) Or 5) the infrared wireless communication apparatus according to 1 above, wherein a data string to be transmitted is composed of a status area and a data area, and the status area is a key input device. Or , it includes a device ID that identifies the pointing device and a sub ID that identifies the device number of the device, and has a make / break status bit that indicates the make / break status of the pointing button in the status area, and data in which the data area is positive or negative Infrared wireless communication device consisting of digital value data converted from bit and analog quantity, Or 6) The infrared wireless communication device according to 1 above, wherein the analog amount is converted into digital data and transmitted to the receiving side, and after the analog amount is finally detected, the analog amount is continuously detected. It stops and shifts to the standby mode in which the analog amount is detected every first predetermined time, returns to the normal mode in which the analog amount is continuously detected only when there is a change, and further changes by the second predetermined time. If not detected, stop the clock, enter a stop mode in which only hardware interrupts are enabled, and an infrared wireless communication device having a controller that returns the next key input as a hardware interrupt input, or
(B):
7) The infrared wireless communication device according to 1 above includes a plurality of wireless input devices, and the wireless input devices submodulate a bit data string of a signal, convert the signal into an infrared pulse string, and transmit the signals wirelessly. Cannot be synchronized, the data input interval for each input device is defined in advance, and the second input is input at a time interval without data of the first input device that sends data at a constant interval. An infrared wireless communication device that interrupts and transmits data of the device, or 8) The infrared wireless communication device according to 1 has a plurality of wireless input devices, and the wireless input device submodulates a bit data string of a signal. The wireless input devices that convert to infrared pulse trains and transmit wirelessly cannot synchronize with each other. Infrared wireless communication devices that prescribe the mouse and key data transfer cycles as follows: It can be solved by.
[0009]
If the mouse data transmission time is M, the key data transmission time is K, and the gap time t of each data is
Mouse data transfer cycle = 2M + 2K + 4t (1)
Key data transfer cycle = M + K + 2t (2)
Or 9) The infrared wireless communication device according to 1 above has a plurality of wireless input devices, and the wireless input device sends a make data sequence when the key is pressed and generates a break data sequence when the key is released. Infrared wireless communication that outputs and converts the bit data string into a series of sub-modulated infrared pulse trains and outputs make data and break data twice at regular intervals (formula 8) Device or 10) The infrared wireless communication device described in 9 above outputs makeup data twice from the key data detected first when the keys are simultaneously pressed at the data interval of equation (2) described in 8 above, and then The infrared wireless communication apparatus that outputs the detected make data of the key twice at the data interval of the expression (2) described in 8 above, or 11) The infrared wireless communication apparatus described in 9 above is the key make up The infrared wireless communication device that outputs data at an odd multiple of the data interval of the equation (2) described in 8 above, or 12) the 9 The infrared wireless communication apparatus described in the above, wherein when a function key to be multi-keyed is first released, the infrared wireless communication apparatus that outputs break data twice at the data interval of the expression (2) described in 8 above, or 13) The infrared wireless communication apparatus according to 9 can be solved by an infrared wireless communication apparatus that transmits data by using the break data of the key released last when multiple keys are pressed as all key-off data .
[0010]
Next, the operation of the present invention will be described.
(A) The data transmission method using infrared rays propagating in space is susceptible to the influence of light from the outside, so the method of modulating with a subcarrier is common. Data of “0” and “1” is formed by the time interval (off time) between the infrared pulse train of a certain length with such sub-modulation (on time) and the next infrared pulse train (off time), and the time interval (off time) “0” and “1” are discriminated by the difference between the two.
[0011]
In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, in addition to data of “0” and “1”, a leader pulse / end pulse having a third time interval (off time) is provided and inserted before and after the data string. . When the receiving side device does not receive the leader pulse more than the predetermined number of times and the length of the entire bit data string from the leader pulse to the end pulse is not within the predetermined range, the data sequence is invalidated by invalidating the data string. The mistake is prevented.
[0012]
Here, the present invention recognizes the head of the bit data string by sending the leader pulse a plurality of times and receiving it for a predetermined number of times or more (for example, sending it five times, of which three or more times). This is to prevent the leading bit missing part from being erroneously recognized as the beginning of the bit data string when a missing bit occurs in the middle of the bit data string. Here, the reason why the data is invalidated when it is not received more than a predetermined number of times is because it is better not to receive the data at all than to receive the incorrect data.
[0013]
In the present invention, when a plurality of infrared communication devices are used, the bit data strings may overlap, and in this case, the bit data strings become incorrect data. In order to detect this, the length of the entire bit data string is detected and the number of bits is counted. Therefore, when the entire length of the bit data string is not within the predetermined length, the data is invalidated because it is better not to receive at all than to receive erroneous data.
[0014]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the variation in time interval (off time) of each infrared pulse train identifying “0”, “1”, leader pulse / end pulse is the length of the infrared pulse train (on time). Since it is considered to be below the range, the threshold value of the time interval for identification (corresponding to the boundary time in FIG. 1) is set to the approximate center of the time interval (off time) difference of each infrared pulse train, that is, each infrared pulse train. By setting it to 1/2 of the sum of the time intervals (corresponding to T1 and T2 in FIG. 1) , data errors can be minimized.
[0015]
(B) The two most frequently used wireless input devices are a keyboard for inputting characters and a mouse for moving a cursor.
If both devices are used at the same time, infrared data interference always occurs, and the interfering data is not recognized and data is lost.
[0016]
Here, when comparing the importance of both devices, the keyboard is a character input function with respect to the cursor movement function of the mouse, and naturally the importance of the character input data is increased. This is because there is no problem in operation even if one piece of data for moving the cursor is missing, but there is a problem if one character is missing.
[0017]
The present invention is as follows in order to prevent interference of optical infrared data.
In order to perform smooth cursor movement, mouse data needs to be transmitted at a constant cycle, and data transmission cannot be stopped as long as it is operated. Therefore, if the key data is interrupted and transmitted to the portion of the mouse data that is transmitted at a constant interval that does not have data for a certain period of time, both the mouse and key data become valid.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(A) First, the key input device will be described.
As a data string to be transmitted, a status area including a device ID for determining a key input device, a pointing device, etc. and a sub ID for determining a device number of the device, a make (contact on) / break (contact off) determination bit, A data area consisting of a key address, a data string with the make / break discrimination bit set to make when the key is pressed, and a data string with the make / break discrimination bit set to break when the key is released, and bit data This infrared communication method can be applied to a wireless input device by converting the sequence into a series of infrared pulse sequences subjected to sub-modulation and transmitting them.
[0019]
FIG. 4A shows a configuration example of a data string of the key input device.
In the figure, the status data includes a 3-bit device ID, a 3-bit sub ID, and 2-bit “0”. Here, X indicates “0” data or “1” data. Further, 0 indicates “0”, and 1 indicates “1” data.
[0020]
The key address data consists of a 1-bit make / break discrimination bit and 7-bit key address data.
In addition, by adding a parity bit to each area or adding CRC (Cyclic Redudancy Code) data, the reliability of the data can be further improved.
[0021]
Further, in such a wireless input device, if break data is not received, it is determined that the key is kept pressed, and a state (typer) in which the key code continues to be periodically generated occurs. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to perform a break reliably. However, when a plurality of keys are pressed sequentially, the break data to be transmitted last is all key-off data (ALL In addition, a key that is frequently pressed simultaneously with other keys such as “Shift”, “Ctrl”, “Alt”, etc. transmits break data twice as shown in FIG.
[0022]
Also in the light receiving device, when the infrared pulse is not received for a predetermined time or when invalid data (data subjected to noise interference) is received, the key-off data is sent to the host computer side to send the key. The state where the code keeps coming out regularly can be prevented.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, after all keys are turned off to the control unit, the clock is stopped, and only the hardware interrupt is entered into the stop mode, and the next key input is returned as the hardware interrupt input. By providing functions, it is possible to reduce power consumption and extend the life of the equipment.
[0024]
Next, an example will be described in which the infrared wireless communication system of the present invention is applied to a pointing device that converts an analog amount such as a movement amount, position, inclination, and magnitude of force into a digital value and transmits it to a host computer.
[0025]
A data string to be transmitted is a digital value data converted from a status area including a device ID for determining a key input device, a pointing device, etc., and a sub ID for determining a device number of the device, positive / negative data bits, and an analog quantity. This infrared communication method can be applied to a wireless key input device by converting the bit data string into a series of infrared pulse strings subjected to sub-modulation and transmitting the data area.
[0026]
FIG. 4B shows a configuration example of a data string of the pointing input device.
In the figure, the status data includes a 3-bit device ID, a 3-bit sub ID, and 2-bit make / break status bits indicating the make / break status of the left and right switches.
[0027]
The X-direction data / Y-direction data is composed of 1-bit data indicating the sign of the data and 7-bit data converted from the analog amount of the X-direction data / Y-direction data. In addition, the reliability of data can be further improved by adding a parity bit or adding CRC data to each area.
[0028]
At this time, a make / break discrimination bit for the button of the ponting device is provided in the status area, and a data string in which the make / break status bit is set for the period during which the button is pressed is output, and the make-up period for the period when the button is released. / By outputting a data string with a break status bit as a break, converting the bit data string into a series of infrared pulse trains with sub-modulation, and transmitting this infrared communication method wirelessly with respect to the buttons of the pointing device Can be transmitted.
[0029]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, after the analog amount is finally detected, the continuous detection of the analog amount is stopped, and a transition is made to the standby mode in which the analog amount is detected every first predetermined time. The normal mode for continuous detection of the analog amount is restored only when it is detected, and if no change is detected by the second predetermined time, the clock is stopped and only the hardware interrupt is entered, and the next key input is entered. By providing the control device with the function of returning as a hardware interrupt input, it is possible to reduce power consumption and extend the life of the device.
[0030]
(B) Now, assuming that the data transmission time of the mouse is Mms and the data transmission time of the key is Kms, the data of each device is transmitted at the transmission cycle shown in FIG. The following data is always valid.
[0031]
Mouse data transfer cycle = 2M + 2K + 4t
Key data transfer cycle = M + K + 2t
Here, t is the gap time of each data.
[0032]
In this way, when the key data is pressed down, the same data can be surely validated by sending the same data at least twice. However, at this time, one mouse data is invalid, but since it is continuously transmitted, there is no problem in operation.
[0033]
FIG. 7 shows the transmission of key data by the typer operation when the key is continuously pressed.
Typer data transfer cycle = (M + K + 2t) n
Here, n is an odd number.
[0034]
In this way, the key typer data of two times is always valid once (the mouse data and the key data do not overlap).
Furthermore, the keyboard operation includes multiple keystrokes and simultaneous pressing operations. In this case, the transmission quality equivalent to the wired method can be ensured by performing data transmission according to the methods described in (1) to (4) below.
[0035]
(1) Sending data when sequentially pressed In the following figure, the make data for the A key is represented as A, the break data is represented as a, the make data for the B key is represented as B, and the break data is represented as b. To be transferred.
[0036]
In the figure, a narrow interval between AA, aa, BB, and bb indicates (M + K + 2t), and a wide interval indicates (M + K + 2t) n.
(2) Data transmission when continuously pressed is as shown in FIG. 9. When one key is released when two keys are pressed simultaneously, break data is transmitted once. In this case, invalid data may be generated due to interference with mouse data, but there is no problem because the B key is an effective input in operation.
[0037]
However, the break data of key B released last is output as all key-off data, and all keys are released. All the key-off data is also transmitted twice, and one of the data is made valid.
[0038]
In the figure, the narrow interval between AA, aa, BB and bb is (M + K + 2t), the wide interval is (M + K + 2t) n, and the interval between ALL OFF and ALL OFF is (M + K + 2t).
(3) Data transmission at the time of simultaneous pressing When the keys are simultaneously pressed, makeup data of any key detected first is transmitted twice as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the make data of the next detected key is sent twice in the same manner to prevent data loss due to interference.
[0039]
In the figure, the narrow interval between AA, aa, BB and bb is (M + K + 2t), the wide interval is (M + K + 2t) n, and the interval between ALL OFF and ALL OFF is (M + K + 2t).
(4) Data transmission at the time of multiple keystrokes In Fig. 11, if the A key is a function key such as Ctrl, Alt, Shft, etc., there will be a problem in operation when the data is invalidated by sending only one break data. , Break data is sent twice to prevent invalid data.
[0040]
The narrow interval between AA, aa, BB and bb is (M + K + 2t), the wide interval is (M + K + 2t) n, and the interval between ALL OFF and ALL OFF is (M + K + 2t).
FIGS. 12 and 13 are explanatory diagrams when there is no ghost and when there is a ghost when the 3 key is pressed. In the figure, AKD is Any Key Down data, which represents the state where any key is pressed.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 13, when a ghost occurs during multiple keystrokes, Any Key Down data is output.
When multiple keys are pressed (3 or more keys), a ghost (wraparound) occurs depending on the key combination. Normally, data transmission is not performed when a ghost is detected on the input device side. However, when the receiver of claim 14 is used, all functions are canceled when an infrared pulse is not received for a predetermined time or more, so the A and B keys are pressed. , It will be unpressed.
[0042]
To eliminate this phenomenon, Any Key Down data is output when a ghost occurs, and the state of the receiving device is maintained.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, (A) In an infrared wireless transmission apparatus, it is possible to prevent data errors and perform reliable data transmission and reduce power consumption.
[0044]
Further, according to the present invention, (B) a plurality of devices (mouse, keyboard, etc.) can be used simultaneously in one light receiving device without deteriorating operability, and an inexpensive input device using an infrared system can be provided. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of bit data of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of transmission data of the present invention (1).
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of transmission data according to the present invention (2).
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a data string configuration example of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the control apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of data transmission of the present invention. Explanatory drawing [FIG. 8] Explanatory diagram of data transmission at the time of sequential keystrokes of the present invention [FIG. 9] Explanatory diagram of data transmission of continuous keystrokes of the present invention [FIG. 10] An explanatory diagram of data transmission of simultaneous keystrokes of the present invention [FIG. 11] Explanatory diagram of data transmission with multiple keystrokes according to the present invention. [FIG.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of data transmission of a triple key entry according to the present invention (with ghost occurrence).

Claims (13)

The bit data sequence of the signal is converted into a sub-modulated infrared pulse train and transmitted wirelessly, and the bit data is composed of a time interval between a sub-modulated fixed-length infrared pulse train and the next infrared pulse train. , “1” is an infrared wireless communication apparatus using a data transmission system that performs the identification according to the time interval,
A leader pulse and end pulse having a time interval other than “0” or “1” are inserted before and after the bit data string, respectively, and if the receiving device does not receive the reader pulse for a predetermined number of times, or the entire bit data string An infrared wireless communication apparatus, wherein the bit data string is invalidated when the length is not within a predetermined range.   “0”, “1”, the difference in time interval of each infrared pulse train identifying the leader pulse and end pulse is more than twice the length of the infrared pulse train, and the threshold time for identification is set to each infrared pulse train 2. The infrared wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time length is set to ½ of the sum of the time intervals. The infrared wireless communication device according to claim 1,
The bit data string is converted into an infrared pulse string with a series of sub-modulations, and the wireless input device that sends and sends it, and after all keys are turned off, the clock is stopped and only the hardware interrupt is enabled. An infrared wireless communication apparatus comprising: a control device that recovers the next key input as a hardware interrupt input. The infrared wireless communication device according to claim 1,
The data string to be transmitted includes a status area and a data area, and the status area includes a device ID for determining a key input device or a pointing device and a sub ID for determining a device number of the device ,
An infrared wireless communication apparatus, wherein a data area comprises a make / break discrimination bit for discriminating that a key is pressed (make) and releasing a key (break) and a key address indicating the pressed key. The infrared wireless communication device according to claim 1,
The data string to be transmitted includes a status area and a data area, and the status area includes a device ID for determining a key input device or a pointing device and a sub ID for determining a device number of the device ,
An infrared wireless communication apparatus having a make / break state bit indicating a make / break state of a pointing button in a status area, wherein the data area comprises positive / negative data bits and digital value data converted from an analog quantity . The infrared wireless communication device according to claim 1,
After the analog amount is converted into digital data and transmitted to the receiving side, and the analog amount is finally detected, the continuous detection of the analog amount is stopped and the analog amount is detected every first predetermined time. Switch to standby mode, return to normal mode in which the analog amount is continuously detected only when there is a change, and stop the clock if no change is detected by a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time An infrared wireless communication apparatus comprising: a control device that enters a stop mode in which only hardware interrupts are enabled and returns the next key input as a hardware interrupt input. The infrared wireless communication device according to claim 1 has a plurality of wireless input devices,
Wireless input device is for the wireless input device with each other for transmitting wirelessly converted into infrared pulse train sub modulated bit data string of the signal can not be synchronized,
The data transmission interval for each input device is defined in advance, and the data of the second input device is interrupted and transmitted at a time interval without data of the first input device that is transmitting data at a constant interval. Infrared wireless communication device characterized. The infrared wireless communication device according to claim 1 has a plurality of wireless input devices,
Wireless input device is for the wireless input device with each other for transmitting wirelessly converted into infrared pulse train sub modulated bit data string of the signal can not be synchronized,
An infrared wireless communication apparatus characterized in that a data transfer cycle of a mouse and a key is defined in advance as follows.
If the data transmission time of the mouse is M, the data transmission time of the key is K, and the time t of the gap between the data is
Mouse data transfer cycle = 2M + 2K + 4t (1)
Key data transfer cycle = M + K + 2t (2) The infrared wireless communication device according to claim 1 has a plurality of wireless input devices,
The wireless input device transmits a make data sequence when a key is pressed, outputs a break data sequence when the key is released, and converts and transmits the bit data sequence to an infrared pulse sequence subjected to a series of sub-modulations. And
An infrared wireless communication apparatus, wherein makeup data and break data are output twice at regular intervals (Equation (2) according to claim 8).   The infrared wireless communication device according to claim 9 outputs makeup data twice at the data interval of the expression (2) according to claim 8 from the key data detected first when the keys are simultaneously pressed, and then the detected key An infrared wireless communication apparatus that outputs the makeup data of (2) twice at a data interval described in equation (2).   When the infrared wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9 outputs the make data of the key, and the key is continuously pressed, the cycle is an odd multiple of the data interval of equation (2). An infrared wireless communication device for outputting data.   The infrared wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the function key to be multi-keyed is first released, the break data is output twice at the data interval of the expression (2) according to claim 8. Infrared wireless communication device.   10. The infrared wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the infrared wireless communication apparatus performs data transmission with the break data of the key released last when multiple keys are pressed as all key-off data.

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