Electronic System and a Method of Providing Additional Functionality Features to an Electronic System

• US 20080055102A1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Postma, Andre, Deckers, Robertus Theodorus Christianus
• Granted Patent: US 8,392,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/205 with control bus for exchanging commands between units

Abstract

There is provided an electronic system (10) comprising one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21) and an electronic device adapted so that the one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21) are locatable in proximity to the electronic device. The electronic device is operable to recognise the presence of the one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21). Upon recognition of said one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21), the electronic device is operable to perform one or more additional functionality features associated with said one or more functionality devices whilst said one or more functionality devices are in close proximity to the electronic device.

Claims

1. An electronic system (10) comprising one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21) and an electronic device adapted so that the one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21) are locatable in proximity to the electronic device;

the electronic device being operable to recognise the presence of the one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21), and, upon recognition of said one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21), the electronic device being operable to perform one or more additional functionality features associated with said one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21) whilst said one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21) are in proximity to the electronic device.

2. A system (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21) is arranged to be attachable to the electronic device by means of at least one of a magnetic coupling, a suction pad, an adhesive coupling and a mechanical attachment mechanism.

3. A system (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more functionality devices (16, 20, 21) and the electronic device are operable to communicate via wireless communication by using an electromagnetic signal.

4. A system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic signal is implemented using electromagnetic radiation complying with the Bluetooth standard.

5. A system (10) according to claim 1, wherein access to the one or more additional functionality features of said one or more functionality devices is conditional upon activation of the functionality device.

6. A system (10) according to claim 5, wherein said one or more functionality devices are activated in response to actuation of a switch or button on the device.

7. A system (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more functionality devices is activated by using electromagnetic signal communication with an additional device.

8. A system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the activation is conditional upon communication of one or more codes.

9. A method of providing additional functionality to an electronic device, the method including the steps of:

(a) providing an electronic device operable to performing a set of functions,

(b) providing at least one functionality device adapted so as to be engagable in at least close spatial proximity to the electronic device;

(c) arranging for said electronic device to be capable of recognising the presence of said at least one functionality device when in close spatial proximity to the electronic device; and

(d) arranging for the electronic device to perform one or more additional functionality features associated with said at least one functionality device brought into close spatial proximity whilst said at least one functionality device is maintained in close spatial proximity to said electronic device.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein close spatial proximity corresponds to physical contact between said electronic device and said at least one functionality device.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein said at least one functionality device is attached to the electronic device by means of at least one of a magnetic coupling, a suction pad, an adhesive coupling and a mechanical attachment mechanism.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein said at least one functionality device and said electronic device are arranged to mutually communicate via wireless communication utilizing an electromagnetic signal.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the electromagnetic signal complies with the Bluetooth standard.