Proximity-based automatic ID code reconfiguration of wireless input/output systems

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for reconfiguring an ID code associated with a receiver to enable a receiver to respond to data packets tagged with the ID code sent from a desired transmitter. A preferred embodiment includes a transmitter, selectively responsive to an enable command, for broadcasting a data packet at a first power level when the enable command is asserted, the data packet including an ID code, the transmitter broadcasting an ID configuration command having a configuration ID code at a second power level less than the first power level when the enable signal is deasserted. The preferred embodiment of a method for operating a transmitter includes the steps of broadcasting a data packet at a first power level when an enable signal is asserted, the data packet including an ID code; and broadcasting an ID configuration command at a second power level less than the first power level when the enable signal is deasserted, the ID configuration command including a new ID code.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a transmitter for broadcasting a data packet at a first power level, said data packet including an ID code, said transmitter broadcasting an ID configuration command having a configuration ID code at a second power level less than said first power level.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter is selectively responsive to an enable command, and wherein the transmitter broadcasts said ID configuration command when said enable command is asserted.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said transmitter broadcasts over a wireless communication channel.  
     
     
         4 . A system, comprising: 
 a transmitter for broadcasting a data packet at a first power level, said data packet including an ID code, said transmitter broadcasting an ID configuration command including a configuration ID code at a second power level less than said first power level; and    a receiver, in communication with said transmitter and having an associated ID code, said receiver accepting said data packet when said ID code corresponds to said associated ID code and rejecting said data packet when said ID code does not correspond to said associated ID code, said receiver reassociating with said configuration ID code when receiving said ID configuration command.    
     
     
         5 . A system, comprising: 
 a transmitter for broadcasting a data packet at a first power level, said data packet including an ID code, said transmitter broadcasting an ID configuration command having a configuration ID code at a second power level less than said first power level; and    a computing system, in wireless communication with said transmitter through a receiver, said computing system having an associated ID code, said computing system accepting said data packet when said ID code corresponds to said associated ID code and rejecting said data packet when said ID code does not correspond to said associated ID code, said computer system reassociating with said configuration ID code when receiving said ID configuration command.    
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said reassociating is done using said receiver.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said reassociating is done using a component of the computing system other than said receiver.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said correspondence between said ID code and said associated ID code is satisfied when said ID codes match each other.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said receiver includes a non-volatile memory for storing said associated ID code and wherein said configuration ID code is stored in said non-volatile memory upon reassociating said configuration ID code.  
     
     
         10 - 18 . (canceled)