Updating a static image from an accessory to an electronic device to provide user feedback during interaction with the accessory
First Claim
1. A system for updating operational state information to a handheld device, comprising:
- a hand-held accessory including an input element and an output element and having multiple operational states, the input element operable to provide for selection of one of the multiple operational states and cause a state signal to be generated in response thereto;
a primary handheld device including a display screen operable to receive the state signal from the hand-held accessory and display information pertaining to the selected one of the multiple operational states; and
a secondary electronic device operable to receive a content-based signal from the output element of the hand-held accessory.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An accessory for a portable device can include a number of selectable operational states. In order to convey information about the current operational state to a user, the accessory can be configured to generate a state signal that is directed to the primary device for the accessory. The state signal can include information, such as a static image, about the current operational state that can be displayed on a display device of the primary device. Where a primary device has multiple states than cannot easily be displayed to a user, an accessory can be used to generate a state signal that can be directed to a secondary device in order to display the state information for the primary device using the secondary device.
180 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for updating operational state information to a handheld device, comprising:
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a hand-held accessory including an input element and an output element and having multiple operational states, the input element operable to provide for selection of one of the multiple operational states and cause a state signal to be generated in response thereto;
a primary handheld device including a display screen operable to receive the state signal from the hand-held accessory and display information pertaining to the selected one of the multiple operational states; and
a secondary electronic device operable to receive a content-based signal from the output element of the hand-held accessory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A multi-state accessory for use with a primary handheld device including a display mechanism, comprising:
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a state selection device operable to select from one of a plurality of operational states for the accessory;
a microcontroller in communication with the state selection device and operational to activate the operational state selected by the state selection device, the microcontroller being operable to generate a state signal in response to the activation of the operational state and further operable to generate a content-based output signal to be received by a secondary electronic device; and
an interface element in electrical communication with the microcontroller, the interface element configured to provide for communication with the primary handheld device, the interface operable to direct the state signal to the primary handheld device whereby the primary handheld device can display state information in the state signal on the display mechanism of the primary handheld device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for updating operational state information to a portable device, comprising:
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selecting one of a plurality of operational states of a multi-state accessory;
generating a state signal in response to the selecting step;
directing the state signal to the portable device, whereby the portable device can display information about the selected operational state on a display mechanism of the portable device; and
generating a content-based output signal in response to the selection of one of the plurality of operational states, the content-based output signal not being used by the portable device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An accessory for displaying the operational state of a first device using a display mechanism of a second device, comprising:
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a first interface operable to connect and communicate with the first device;
a microcontroller in electrical communication with the first interface and operable to receive state information from the first device, the state information including information about an operational state of the first device, the microcontroller being further operable to generate a state signal in response thereto; and
a second interface operable to connect and communicate with the second device, the second interface operable to direct the state signal from the microprocessor to the second device whereby the second device can display information about the operational state on the display mechanism of the second device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An FM transmitter for use with a portable media device, comprising:
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a frequency tuner operable to select from one of a plurality of operational frequencies;
a transmitter in electrical communication with the frequency tuner and operable to broadcast a signal at the selected operational frequency;
a microcontroller in communication with the frequency tuner and operable to generate a state signal in response the selection of the selected operational frequency; and
an interface element in electrical communication with the microcontroller, the interface element configured to provide for communication with the portable media device, the interface capable of receiving an audio signal to be broadcast by the transmitter using the selected operational frequency, the interface element further operable to direct the state signal to the portable media device whereby the portable media device can display the selected operational frequency in the state signal on the display mechanism of the portable media device. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification