Interface technique for selecting type of connection

• US 20020099878A1
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Endejan, Edward, Hampson, Adam, Henrie, James B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,007,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4278 using an embedded synchronisation

Abstract

A method and system for automatically identifying the type of communication interface used to couple a portable computer system with a second computer system, and for selecting the form of an application that is used with the type of interface. For example, a debugger application is collaboratively executed on the computer systems over the interface. When entering the debugger mode, software executed on the portable computer system identifies the type of interface by reading a resistance value of a pin. After determining the type of interface, the form of the debugger used with the interface is automatically selected. A similar process is followed for other applications that depend on the type of interface. The user does not have to manually identify the type of interface. Instead, in response to a command that is independent of the type of interface, the proper form of the application is automatically selected.

Claims

1. In a portable computer system coupled to a communication interface, a method for selecting an application used with said communication interface, said method comprising the steps of:

a) entering a mode for executing said application;

b) reading a resistance value of a pin on said communication interface, wherein said communication interface comprises a type of connection operable to couple said communication interface to a second computer system and wherein said type of connection is associated with a particular resistance value;

c) identifying said type of connection according to said resistance value read in said step b); and

d) selecting a form of said application used with said type of connection identified in said step c).

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step a) is responsive to input from a user that is independent of said type of connection.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication interface further comprises a cradle element, wherein said portable computer system is inserted into said cradle element.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step c) comprises the step of:

c1) identifying said type of connection according to a voltage value for said pin.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said application is for debugging applications on said portable computer system.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said application is for sharing information between said portable computer system and said second computer system.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said type of connection comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection and wherein said application is used with a USB communication interface.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said type of connection comprises an RS232 connection and wherein said application is used with an RS232 communication interface.

9. A portable computer system comprising:

a bus;

a communication interface port coupled to said bus, said communication interface port operable to couple with a communication interface; and

a processor coupled to said bus;

said processor for performing a method for selecting an application used with a type of communication interface, said method comprising the steps of;

a) entering a mode for executing said application;

b) reading a resistance value of a pin on said communication interface, wherein said communication interface comprises a type of connection operable to couple said communication interface to a second computer system and wherein said type of connection is associated with a particular resistance value;

c) identifying said type of connection according to said resistance value read in said step b); and

d) selecting a form of said application used with said type of connection identified in said step c).

10. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said step a) of said method is responsive to input from a user that is independent of said type of connection.

11. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said communication interface further comprises a cradle element, wherein said portable computer system is inserted into said cradle element.

12. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said step c) of said method comprises the step of:

c1) identifying said type of connection according to a voltage value for said pin.

13. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said application is for debugging applications on said portable computer system.

14. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said application is for sharing information between said portable computer system and said second computer system.

15. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said type of connection comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection and wherein said application is used with a USB communication interface.

16. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said type of connection comprises an RS232 connection and wherein said application is used with an RS232 communication interface.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said reading of said step a) is responsive to input from a user that is independent of said type of connection.

19. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said step b) comprises the step of:

b1) identifying said type of communication interface according to a voltage value for said pin.

20. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said application is for debugging applications on said portable computer system.

21. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said application is for sharing information between said portable computer system and said second computer system.

22. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said type of communication interface comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection and wherein said application is used with a USB communication interface.

23. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said type of communication interface comprises an RS232 connection and wherein said application is used with an RS232 communication interface.

17. In a system comprising a portable computer system and a second computer system communicatively coupled using a communication interface, a method for selecting an application used with a type of communication interface, said method comprising the steps of:

a) reading at said portable computer system a resistance value of a pin on said communication interface, wherein said communication interface comprises a type of connection operable to couple said communication interface to said second computer system;

b) identifying at said portable computer system a type of communication interface, wherein said type of communication interface is identified by said resistance value; and

c) selecting at said portable computer system an application corresponding to said type of communication interface, wherein said application is executed collaboratively on said portable computer system and on said second computer system.