Reduced power consumption wireless interface device

Abstract

A wireless interface device services communications between a wirelessly enabled host and at least one user input device. The wireless interface device includes a wireless interface unit, a processing unit, an input/output unit, and a power management unit. The wireless interface unit wirelessly interfaces with the wirelessly enabled host using a communication interface protocol. The power management unit operably couples to the wireless interface unit, the processing unit, and the input/output unit. The power management unit and the processing unit operate to control the power consumption of the wireless interface unit and the processing unit by powering down the wireless interface device and controlling the power consumption of the processing unit. The input/output unit remains powered to detect user input. When user input is detected, the wireless interface unit and processing unit are fully powered.

1 - 57 . (canceled)  
   
   
       58 . An integrated circuit that services communications between a wirelessly enabled host and at least one user input device, the integrated circuit comprising: 
 a wireless interface unit that wirelessly interfaces with the wirelessly enabled host;    a processing unit operably coupled to the wireless interface unit;    an input/output unit operably coupled to the wireless interface unit and to the processing unit, wherein the input/output unit also operably couples to the at least one user input device; and    a power management unit operably coupled to the wireless interface unit, the processing unit, and the input/output unit, wherein the power management unit controls the power consumption of the integrated circuit by: 
 assisting the processing unit and wireless interface unit in entering one of a plurality of power consumption operating modes including: 
 a busy mode in which the processing unit and wireless interface unit are powered and the wireless interface unit is in an active mode with respect to the wirelessly enabled host;  
 an idle mode in which the processing unit and wireless interface unit are powered and the wireless interface unit is in a sniff mode with respect to the wirelessly enabled host in which it periodically listens to but does not transmit to the wirelessly enabled host;  
 a suspend mode in which the processing unit and wireless interface unit are powered and the wireless interface unit is in a parked mode with respect to the wireless enabled host in which it is no longer an active member of a network that includes the wirelessly enabled host but listens to a broadcast channel transmitted by of the wirelessly enabled host; and  
 a power down mode in which the processing unit and the wireless interface unit are powered down;  
 
 receiving notification from the input/output unit that indicates activity by the at least one user input device; and  
 causing the processing unit and wireless interface unit to transition from the power down mode, suspend mode, or the idle mode to the busy mode in response to the notification.