Mobile device customizer

• US 20070080933A1
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aplix IP Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zeemote Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Marcus, Beth, Chen, Elaine, Wheeler, Lorraine
• Granted Patent: US 7,652,660 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A method and system for customizing a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with and customizing a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The processor is designed to execute a plurality of applications. In addition, the accessory device includes an input assembly communicatively coupled to the processor. The input assembly is designed to minimize a total number of input elements included in the input assembly. Further, at least a first input element being selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device based on a user selection.

Claims

1. An accessory device for interfacing with a mobile host device, the accessory device comprising:

a communication channel operable to establish a bidirectional communication link between the accessory device and the host device;

a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel, the processor operable to execute a plurality of applications; and

an input assembly communicatively coupled to the processor, the input assembly configured to minimize a total number of input elements included in the input assembly, at least a first input element being selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device based on a user selection.

2. The accessory device of claim 1, further comprising an output unit communicatively coupled to the processor, the output unit configured to output an output data based on a user activation of at least the first input element.

3. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the output unit further comprises a speakerphone.

4. The accessory device of claim 1, further comprising a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of data.

5. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the communication channel is further configured to transmit both data and voice communication.

6. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the communication channel is configured to interface with one or more additional accessory devices.

7. The accessory device of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) unit communicatively coupled to the processor, the GPS unit configured to transmit positioning data of the accessory device to the host device.

8. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the input assembly is further configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of the human user'"'"'s opposing thumb and fingers.

9. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the communication channel further comprises a wireless data connection including at least one of a Bluetooth connection, an Infrared connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and a WiMAX connection.

10. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the storage unit comprises a removable memory unit including one selected from a group of a SD memory card, a mini-SD memory card, a micro-SD memory card, and a compact flash card.

11. A method for configuring an accessory device, the method comprising:

providing a communication channel configured to transmit data bi-directionally between a host device and the accessory device;

providing a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel, the storage unit configured to store one or more data;

disposing on one or more surfaces an input assembly comprising a plurality of input elements configured to receive human input through manipulation of the input elements, wherein at least one of the input elements is further configured to be selectively mapped to one or more functions of the host device; and

providing an accessory processor communicatively coupled to the storage unit, the communication channel, and the input assembly, wherein the accessory processor is configured to execute the one or more data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein disposing the input assembly on one or more surfaces further comprises disposing at least a first input assembly configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of the human user'"'"'s opposing thumb and fingers.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the communication channel further comprises configuring the communication channel to transmit data and voice communication.

14. A method of controlling a plurality of host devices, the method comprising:

providing an accessory device comprising;

a communication channel configured to transmit data bidirectionally between the plurality of host devices and the accessory device,

a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of data,

an input assembly comprising a plurality of input elements, at least a first input element being configured to be selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device, and

a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel and the input assembly, wherein the processor is operable to process one or more data;

and

actuating at least the first input element to control at least a first selectively mapped function of the host device using the communication channel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the accessory device further comprises configuring the input assembly to include at least a first input assembly comprising at least the first input element, the first input element being located on a first surface;

and

wherein the first input assembly is further configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of the human user'"'"'s opposing thumb and fingers.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the accessory device further comprising providing an output unit communicatively coupled to the processor, the output unit configured to output an output data based on a user activation of at least one input element.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the output unit further comprises providing a speakerphone.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the accessory device further comprises configuring the communication channel to transmit both data and voice communication.

19. The accessory device of claim 14, wherein providing the accessory device further comprises configuring the communication channel to interface with one or more additional accessory devices.

20. The accessory device of claim 14, wherein providing the accessory device further comprises providing a global positioning system (GPS) unit communicatively coupled to the processor, the GPS unit configured to transmit positioning data of the accessory device to the host device.