Method for video data transmission between an external video device and a handheld personal computer system

• US 20040088452A1
• Filed: 11/06/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thrasher Associates LLC
• Original Assignee: Thrasher Associates LLC
• Inventors: Scott, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US10/288,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20040088452A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

The invention transfers video data between a handheld computer and an external video device.

Claims

1. In a personal digital assistant, a method of transferring a video data element between a handheld computer or personal digital assistant (PDA) and an external video device, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a personal digital assistant (PDA) is connected with an external video device;

receiving an indication of the resolution requirement of the external video device;

formatting the video data for the external video device; and

sending the video data from the PDA to the external video device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving an indication of the resolution requirement comprises the act of receiving a packet containing an identification of the external video type.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving an indication of the resolution requirement comprises the act of the PDA determining the type of external video device via a query to the external video device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining comprises the act of the PDA determining the type of external video device by step-wise trying a plurality of external video type standards, and then concluding that the external video device is of a type tried that does not result in an error being received by the PDA.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of receiving an indication of the resolution requirement receives a user input.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting an external video device when a personal digital assistant (PDA) connects with an external video device.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein video data is an API standard video data.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein sending sends only marginally different video data.

7. The method of claim I further comprising detecting an external video device when an external video device connects to an intelligent docking station (IDS) enabled to accept a PDA.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the act ofpassing the video data from the PDA, through an IDS, and to the external video device.

9. In a personal digital assistant, software for transferring a video data element between a handheld computer and an external video device, the software performing the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a personal digital assistant (PDA) is connected with an external video device;

receiving an indication of the resolution requirement of the external video device;

formatting the video data for the external video device; and

sending the video data from the PDA to the external video device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving an indication of the resolution requirement comprises the act of receiving a packet containing an identification of the external video type.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving an indication of the resolution requirement comprises the act of the PDA determining the type of external video device via a query to the external video device.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving an indication of the resolution requirement comprises the act of the PDA determining the type of external video device by step-wise trying a plurality of external video type standards, and then concluding that the external video device is of a type tried that does not result in an error being received by the PDA.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein sending sends only marginally different video data.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein video data is an API standard video data.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving an indication that a personal digital assistant (PDA) is connected comprises the act of detecting an external video device when an external video device connects to an intelligent docking station (IDS) enabled to accept a PDA.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the act of passing the video data from the PDA, through an IDS, and to the external video device.

17. A personal digital assistant modified to transfer a video data element between a handheld computer and an external video device, the software performing the method comprising:

detecting an external video device when a personal digital assistant (PDA) connects with an external video device;

determining the resolution requirement of the external video device;

formatting the video data for the external video device; and

sending the video data from the PDA to the external video device.

18. An intelligent docking station (IDS) modified to transfer a video data element between a handheld computer and an external video device, the software performing the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a personal digital assistant (PDA) is connected with an external video device;

receiving an indication of the resolution requirement of the external video device;

formatting the video data for the external video device; and

sending the video data from the PDA to the external video device.