BlueICE provides automatic configuration of PC wireless peripherals

The BlueCore Input Connection Enhancement (BlueICE) software solution provides the means to transform wireless PC peripherals from a premium after-market purchase to a mass market standard that may be bundled with new PCs. BlueICE allows Bluetooth keyboards and mice using BlueCore silicon to be used during boot-up, before the operating system has loaded, negating the need for a reserve wired keyboard. This feature means that wireless peripherals can be bundled as standard with PC shipments.

BlueICE is a collection of software developed specifically to work with BlueCore4-Ext in wireless keyboards, mice and the host interface (either built into a PC or housed in a dongle).  Using BlueICE for all three components of the desktop PC system allows advanced features of the software, such as Auto-Connect, to be utilised.  The user simply adds the batteries to the mouse and keyboard. Thanks to BlueICE, the devices will then be found automatically by the host Bluetooth module. Users can also delete any existing pairing information, discover new devices, or activate the auto connect function by pushing a button on the host module and peripheral devices.

At start up, BlueICE switches the host module to HID proxy mode allowing the BlueCore host module to present itself on the USB bus as a USB composite device containing a keyboard and mouse.  In this mode, the BlueICE firmware implements the HID profile internally allowing the keyboard and mouse to work without the Bluetooth software stack being accessible.  Once the operating system has fully loaded, HCI (Host Controller Interface) mode is enabled and the BlueCore host module presents the HCI interface on the USB bus. The host module can also be switched automatically to operate in regular Bluetooth mode enabling Bluetooth connections to other Bluetooth enabled devices.