GB2422921A - Using an interconnecting device in the form of a lanyard to connect peripherals and computing devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns an interface system in which simple and different Peripheral Interface Units (PIUs) are provided. These units can be interconnected to form more complex systems. Each Peripheral Interface Unit has an associated retractably extendable or fixed length lanyard. The lanyards are used to connect Peripheral Interface Units together either directly or indirectly. The indirect communication methods include mutual inductance and electromagnetic radiation. The lanyard can also be used to form a loop so a user can carry one or more Peripheral Interface Units around their necks, wrist, ankle or waist or other convenient body part or an object. Additionally, a lanyard can contain several wires and be employed to distribute power in a constructed modular system.

Description

INTERFACE SYSTEM

This invention relates to an interface system.

The extensive use of microprocessor based computing technologies, such as Personal Computers (PCs), laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones has led to the development of a wide range of peripheral units to exploit the ever growing processing capabilities of these computing devices. Many interface protocols have emerged over the years to interface the various peripherals to a computing device. Several of these have been upgraded to cater for the increased data transfer rates now offered by wireless and wired communication protocols. Consequently, there now exist many interface protocols each with their own physical connectors.

Developments in silicon technologies have led to greater gate densities and lower power consumption. In turn, this has led to smaller and more convenient portable devices. However, with a limited space to play with designers are finding it impractical to provide a wide range of interface connectors in their products. This then proves difficult for peripheral device manufacturers as they have to either provide a product with the most common interface or provide the same base device, but with different interface circuitry and connectors. Either of these options would effectively increase design, manufacturing and end product costs and this is usually a deterrent to providing the required interfaces.

Consequently, a user wishing to add a new peripheral, such as a digital pen may find they cannot do so as their computing device doesn't have the required interface. In addition, to fully exploit the processing facilities provided by todays portable computing devices a user tends to have an array of peripherals, such as a mobile phone to connect to the Internet, a digital pen so notes can be stored and transferred electronically, and two-way headsets.

These interface deficiencies can be even more restrictive as newer peripherals may not be compatible with legacy equipment. This becomes a serious problem when a user wishes to upgrade their main computing device, as legacy peripherals might not be catered for in the newer computing device.

Another disadvantage to using portables, such as laptops, is their size. To be general purpose, these devices incorporate many functional units, which may not actually be required in certain applications. Consequently, there is then redundant hardware. They also require operating systems and application software to achieve anything useful. Having smaller and simpler peripheral units, which can be easily connected together to form simple functions would be very useful and more convenient. They would be easier to carry around and consume less power. This approach is much more flexible, convenient and allows a user to quickly adapt and integrate new functionality.

According to the present invention there is provided an interface system comprising one or a plurality of peripheral interface unit means, each peripheral interface unit having a retractably extendable or not retractably extendable lanyard means for transferring electrical signals between one or a plurality of lanyards situated in close proximity.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows in perspective, a Peripheral Interface Unit employing a single retractably extendable lanyard; Figure 2 shows a Peripheral Interface Unit with two retractably extendable lanyards; Figure 3 illustrates a Peripheral Interface Unit with an extended lanyard securely connected at its source to form a loop; Figure 4 illustrates how two Peripheral Interface Units with extended lanyards are positioned in close proximity to allow communication between the two separate units; Figure 5 shows in perspective, a Lanyard Spool Module incorporating independent left and right retractably extendable lanyards; Figure 5a shows a Peripheral Interface Unit with sockets for connecting to a Lanyard Spool Module; Figure 6 shows the internal spools of the Lanyard Spool Module; Figure 7 is an electrical diagram showing the inductance coil of a Lanyard Spool Module; Figure 8 shows how two Lanyard Spool Modules are positioned on a common ferrite or magnetic core; Figure 9 is an electrical diagram showing the transformer action when two Lanyard Spool Modules are situated on the same core; Figure 10 is shows an example of a digital pen with a lanyard communicating with a peripheral interface unit with its own lanyard; Figure 11 shows a particular example of a peripheral interface unit as a keypad with a numerical display; Figure 12 shows another example of a peripheral interface unit with thumbwheels for entering numerical data; Figure 13 shows how a lanyard can be extended to form a loop and placed around a users neck for both storage and carrying purposes.

Figure 1 shows the structure of a Peripheral Interface Unit (PIU) 1. A Peripheral Interface Unit I can take several forms depending on its electronic function and does not have to be of the rectangular form shown. The phrase Peripheral Interface Unit is a generic term used in this document to cover a range of different electronic interface functions. In general, a Peripheral Interface Unit I will implement a specific function. However, this is not always the case. Examples of the Peripheral Interface Unit I functionality include, a small flat screen display, a keypad, a wireless communication interface, memory or a specific interface connector with integrated protocol circuitry. For the latter example, the Peripheral Interface Unit I will incorporate the relevant interface connector type (not shown).

To be useful two or more Peripheral Interface Unit I need to be connected to create a system. Each Peripheral Interface Unit I has a retractably extendable or not retractably extendable lanyard 2. Eyelet Ia is used to guide the lanyard 2. The lanyard 2 contains one or a plurality of wire connectors. The end of the lanyard 2 is terminated in a connector 3. In this particular embodiment of the invention the lanyard 2 is stored on an integrated spring loaded spool 8 (not shown in figure I). The spring loaded spool 8 may have ratchet means (not shown) to prevent the extended lanyard 2 from automatically retracting back into the Peripheral Interface Unit I once it has been extended. In another embodiment the ratchet means may be replaced by a clip means arrangement.

A Peripheral Interface Unit I can have two lanyards 2. This configuration is outlined in figure 2. In a preferred embodiment one of the two retractably extendable or not retractably extendable lanyards 2 will be a single conductor and used to form an aerial. The second retractably extendable or not retractably extendable lanyard 2 will be used to communicate with other Peripheral Interface Units I. The lanyard 2 has a secondary purpose. It can be extended to form a loop so the attached Peripheral Interface Units I can be worn around a user's 13 neck, wrist, ankle or waist or other convenient body part or an object.

Connector 3 has fastener means, such as a hook or plastic snap connectors (not shown), to enable the loop to be securely formed back at the loop's source. Figure 3 shows how a lanyard 2 is extended to form a loop and connector 3 is used to secure the end of the loop back at the source of the lanyard. While figure 13 shows a user 13 wearing a Peripheral Interface Unit I when the lanyard 2 has been used to form such a loop.

Communication between two or more Peripheral Interface Units I is by mutual inductance. To ensure maximum flux linkage between two or more lanyard wires 2 they must be positioned in close proximity. An example of such a configuration is shown in figure 4. The greater the lanyard overlap length D, the greater the mutual inductance. In a preferred embodiment part of a lanyard's wire is formed into a coil 7 to increase the mutual inductance. An electrical diagram of a lanyard with a coil in shown in figure 7.

In another embodiment of the invention communication is by electromagnetic radiation in which the lanyards 2 act as aerials. Depending on the functionality of a Peripheral Interface Unit I the lanyard aerial 2 can act as a transmitter, a receiver or both a transmitter and receiver. In yet another embodiment the communication is by electromagnetic radiation in which the transfer of data is by light through the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and photo-diodes (not shown).

Figure 5 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, in which two independent retractably extendable lanyards 2 are housed in a separate self- contained Lanyard Spool Module (LSM) 4. As explained later, the LSM 4 is a used to form a coil 7. The LSM 4 has a hollow centre section 5 through which a ferrite rod or magnetic rod can pass. The dot 6 on the face of an LSM 4 is used when connecting coils together. The dots 6 are used to indicate that when currents enter both coils (or leave both coils) at these terminals, the magnetomotive forces of the coils are additive and the mutual inductance is positive. However, as putting one coil on the "wrong way round" will only invert the signal in the other coil - the input circuitry is designed to take care of this. As shown in figure 6 each lanyard 2 is wrapped around a spool 8 and some of the lanyard is used to form a coil around the spool, even when the lanyard is fully extended. The spring loaded spool 8 has ratchet means or clip means (not shown) to prevent the extended lanyard 2 from automatically retracting back into the Peripheral Interface Unit I once it has been extended.

In this embodiment the LSM 4 houses two independent retractably extendable lanyards 2. To form a single conducting lanyard, the two independent lanyards 2 are electrically connected internally with wire means 9. Each lanyard has a connector 3 for connecting the LSM 4 to a Peripheral Interface Unit 1. As shown in figure 5a, connector 3 plugs into connector socket lb of a Peripheral Interface Unit 1.

As explained previously, in a preferred embodiment communication between two Peripheral Interface Units I is by mutual inductance. To increase the flux linkage between the coils 7 of two or more Lanyard Spool Modules 4, a ferrite or magnetic rod 10 can be inserted through the centre of each LSM 4. This configuration is shown in figure 8. The ferrite or magnetic rod 10 is inserted through the hole 5 of each LSM 4. Retaining clips lOa are used to securely hold the LSMs 4 in place.

In another embodiment of the invention the "mutual inductance" operation would be by forming two lanyards into loops and then putting the loops next to each other - for example, by placing both loops round a user's neck. In this configuration the lanyard must plug back into the PIU to form a loop.

Though placing each LSM 4 on the rod 10 provides maximum flux linkage, the rod 10 doesn't have to used. Each LSM 4 incorporates electrical connection fastener means (not shown) to allow LSMs 4 to be connected or clipped together electrically along the same axis.

In another embodiment, wires in a lanyard 2 can be used to convey power.

This will alleviate the need for each Peripheral Interface Unit I to have an internal power supply and also keep the size of a Peripheral Interface Unit I to a minimum. This can be achieved in one of two ways. Firstly, a direct wire-to- wire connection is formed when connector 3 is plugged into another connector 3 or socket lb on a Peripheral Interface Unit 1. In another embodiment, the transfer of power between lanyards 2 is by transformer action. This is achieved in a similar fashion to the signal transfer shown in figure 8. An electrical diagram showing this configuration is shown in figure 9 where two independent coils 7 share a ferrite or magnetic medium 10.

Several methods of connecting separate Peripheral Interface Unit's lanyards 2 have been described. To keep separate lanyards 2 in fixed close proximity the lanyards 2 can be tightly coupled using a plastic snap connector means 12.

This can employ any of the connection means described in the present invention. The connector 12 is useful for connecting lanyards when a user 13 wishes to form a wearable system, as shown in figure 13.

By having a choice of simple and different Peripheral Interface Units 1, a user 13 can select the required Peripheral Interface Units I to form more complex systems that suit their needs. This approach is much more flexible, convenient and allows a user 13 to quickly adapt and integrate new functionality into legacy systems. An example of a simple system application is shown in figure 10. A digital pen 11 has a retractably extendable lanyard 2. The digital pen 11 can communicate with a Peripheral Interface Unit I via mutual inductance when their respective lanyards 2 are in close proximity. In this example the Peripheral Interface Unit I could be a General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) unit for implementing wireless communications via a mobile telecommunications system, such as GSM or a third generation mobile system. It could also implement a short-range wireless protocol, such as Zigbee, WIMAX, Wi-Fl or Bluetooth (Registered Trade Marks).

In another example of the application of a Peripheral Interface Unit 1, the Peripheral Interface Unit I has memory means for storing monetary credits and is employed as an electronic wallet. A user 13 can top-up the monetary credits at specified outlets by extending the lanyard 2 so it is in close proximity to a credit top-up machine. When a user 13 wishes to pay a bill or transfer a certain amount they enter the amount on a keypad or by a thumbwheel. To complete a transaction the user 13 extends the lanyard 2 of their Peripheral Interface Unit I so it is in close proximity to the creditor's lanyard 2 of their Peripheral Interface Unit 1. Communications are then established and the agreed number of credits transferred. Figure 11 shows an example of such a Peripheral Interface Unit 1, which contains a numerical keypad and a numerical display means Id, such as an Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit.

The keypad is formed from individual keys 1k. Figure 12 shows another example of such a Peripheral Interface Unit 1 in which numerical data is manually entered by selecting the correct digits on one or more thumbwheels it. The thumbwheel units display the selected value in a display window or aperture I n as the thumbwheel is revolved.

As different Peripheral Interface Units 1 have different end interfaces, a common transfer protocol (Lanyard Protocol) is employed by the Peripheral Interface Units to enable different interfaces to communicate correctly. This can be a simple serial protocol to account for the low wire count used in a lanyard 2.

Although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are illustrative of the aspects of the invention. As such, a person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications to the illustrative embodiments described herein. Such modifications and other arrangements which may be devised to implement the invention should not be deemed as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed herein.

Claims (22)

1. An interface system comprising one or a plurality of peripheral interface unit means, each peripheral interface unit having a retractably extendable or not retractably extendable lanyard means for transferring electrical signals between one or a plurality of lanyards situated in close proximity.

2. An interface system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the retractably extendable lanyard means is housed internally to the peripheral interface unit.

3. An interface system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the retractably extendable lanyard means is housed in a self-contained lanyard spool module externally to a peripheral interface unit.

4. An interface system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein two electrically connected independent retractably extendable lanyard means are housed in a self-contained lanyard spool module, each lanyard having connector means to directly plug into sockets on a peripheral interface unit.

5. An interface system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a section of the lanyard means is used to form an inductor coil.

6. An interface system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein communication between one or a plurality of lanyards and connected peripheral interface units is by mutual inductance.

7. An interface system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein more than one internally housed retractably extendable lanyard connector means is provided.

8. An interface system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lanyard means act as an aerial and communication between one or a plurality of lanyards is by electromagnetic radiation.

9. An interface system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the self-contained lanyard spool module has a hollow centre section to enable a ferrite rod or magnetic rod to be passed through the centre section.

10. An interface system as claimed in Claim 9, wherein one or a plurality of self-contained lanyard spool modules can be placed on the same ferrite or magnetic rod, the self-contained lanyard spool modules being securely held in place by clip means.

11. An interface system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein two or more selfcontained lanyard spool modules are electrically connected together using snap connector means.

12. An interface system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lanyard means incorporates one or plurality of electrical wire conductors.

13. An interface system as claimed in Claim 12, wherein a lanyard is used to distribute power to other peripheral interface units.

14. An interface system as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the distribution of power between separate lanyards is by direct wire connection using connector means connected to a lanyard.

15. An interface system as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the distribution of power between separate lanyards is by mutual inductance in the form of a transformer formed by two or more lanyard coils.

16. An interface system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a retractably extendable lanyard means can be extended to form a loop, the end of the lanyard being securely connected to the loop source by connector means enabling a user to wear the peripheral interface unit around their neck, wrist or waist or other convenient body part or an object.

17. An interface system as claimed in Claim 16, wherein more than one lanyard is formed into a loop, a section of each lanyard loop being bound closely or connected directly with connector means to enable communication between the lanyards while a user is wearing them.

18. An interface system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein communication between one or a plurality of lanyards and connected peripheral interface units is by light using light emitting diodes as the transmitter source and photo-diodes as the light receivers.

19. An interface system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the plurality of peripheral interface units include a first peripheral interface unit and a second peripheral interface unit, the first peripheral interface unit having the same or different functionality than the second peripheral interface unit.

20. An interface system as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the first peripheral interface unit and the second peripheral interface unit are selected from a plurality of peripheral interface units including functions for storing data, inputting data manually via a keypad or thumbwheel, displaying data on video screen means, physically interfacing to other equipment via connector means, implementing protocol conversion and transferring data using wireless means.

21. An interface system as claimed in Claim 19, wherein each peripheral interface unit incorporates circuit means to implement a common data transfer protocol to allow different peripheral units to transfer data between different end interface to which the respective peripheral interface units are connected.

22. An interface system substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 13 of the accompanying drawings.