SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY ACTIVATING FUNCTIONS PROVIDED BY A MOBILE PHONE

• US 20070264983A1
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Inventors: Hu, Shih-Chang, Chen, Chia Jung, Lin, Meng-Feng
• Granted Patent: US 7,562,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

Methods for selectively activating one of multiple functions provided by a mobile phone are provided. An embodiment of a method for selectively activating one of multiple functions comprises the following steps. That the mobile phone has been coupled to a computer system is detected. A first interface is displayed to facilitate selection of a first function from the functions. That the first function is selected is detected by the first interface. At least one software module is configured to activate the first function, thereby the computer system is directed to employ the mobile phone as a first external electronic device corresponding to the first function.

Claims

1. A method for selectively activating one of a plurality of functions provided by a portable device, the method comprising:

detecting that the portable device has been coupled to a computer system;

displaying a first interface to facilitate selection of a first function from the functions;

detecting that the first function is selected by the first interface; and

configuring at least one software module to activate the first function,

thereby the computer system is directed to employ the portable device as a first external electronic device corresponding to the first function.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting information indicating the selection of the first function to the computer system,

thereby directing the computer system to activate a first driver corresponding to the first function.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

displaying a second interface when the first function is activated to facilitate activation of a second function from the functions;

detecting that the second function is selected by the second interface;

transmitting a disconnection signal to the computer system, thereby the computer system deactivates the first driver;

after transmission of the disconnection signal, transmitting a connection signal and information indicating the selection of the second function to the computer system, thereby the computer system activates a second driver corresponding to the second function.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the portable device connects to the computer system via a universal serial bus (USB) link.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein that the portable device has been coupled to the computer system is detected by detecting high voltage at pin of the USB link.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the disconnection signal is generated and transmitted by pulling low a data line of the USB link, and the connection signal is generated and transmitted by pulling high a data line of the USB link.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the information indicating the selection of the first function or second function is carried by at least one descriptor compatible with USB specification.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the external electronic device is a mass storage device, a Webcam, a digital TV receiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, or a virtual comport.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a second interface when the selected function is activated to facilitate activation of another function;

detecting that another function is selected via the displayed second interface; and

configuring at least one software module to activate the reselected function for the computer system.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a connection device;

a display; and

a processing unit coupling to the display and the connection device, detecting that the apparatus has been coupled to a computer system via the connection device, displaying a first interface on the display to facilitate selection of a first function from the functions, detecting that the first function is selected by the first interface, and configuring at least one software module executed herein to activate the first function,

thereby directing the computer system to employ the apparatus as a first external electronic device corresponding to the first function.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the processing unit transmits information indicating the selection of the first function to the computer system via the connection device, thereby directing the computer system to activate a first driver corresponding to the first function.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the processing unit displays a second interface when the first function is activated to facilitate activation of a second function of the functions, detects that the second function is selected by the second interface, transmits a disconnection signal to the computer system, thereby the computer system deactivates the first driver, and, after transmission of the disconnection signal, transmits a connection signal and information indicating the selection of the second function to the computer system, thereby the computer system activates a second driver corresponding to the second function.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the apparatus connects to the computer system via a universal serial bus (USB) link.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the processing unit detects that the apparatus has been coupled to the computer system via the connection device by detecting high voltage at a pin of the USB link.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the processing unit generates and transmits the disconnection signal by instructing the connection device to pull low a data line of the USB link, and generates and transmits the connection signal by instructing the connection system to pull high a data line of the USB link.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the information indicating the selection of the first function or second function is carried by at least one descriptor compatible with USB specification.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the connection device comprises:

a USB controller;

an external USB connector;

a USB data line connected from the USB controller to the external USB connector; and

a regulator disposed between a power source and the USB data line, receiving an enabling signal from the processing unit, and selectively converting the power source to a voltage level or not according to the received enabling signal,

the connection signal is transmitted when converting the power source to the voltage level, and the disconnection signal is transmitted when not converting the power source to the voltage level.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the connection device further comprises:

a switching device disposed between the USB controller and the external USB connector, and selectively connecting and disconnecting the data line according to the enabling signal,

the connection signal is transmitted when connecting the data line, and the disconnection signal is transmitted when disconnecting the data line.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the external electronic device is a mass storage device, a Webcam, a digital TV receiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, or a virtual comport.

20. A system for selectively activating one of plurality universal serial bus (USB) functions, comprising:

a USB controller;

a USB connector;

a USB data line connected between the USB controller to the USB connector; and

a regulator disposed between a power source and the USB data line, receiving an enabling signal from the processing unit, and selectively converting the power source to a predetermined voltage level according to the enabling signal,

a connection signal indicating that a USB device has been plugged in is transmitted when converting the power source to the predetermined voltage level, and a disconnection signal indicating that the USB device has been removed is transmitted when not converting the power source to the predetermined voltage level.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20 further comprising:

a switching device disposed between the USB controller and the USB connector, and selectively connecting and disconnecting the data line according to the enabling signal,

the connection signal is transmitted when connecting the data line, and the disconnection signal is transmitted when disconnecting the data line.