Apparatus and method for providing a user interface for facilitating communications between devices

• US 20080207202A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Starr, Robert J., Tischer, Steven, Zellner, Samuel N., Roach, Peter O.
• Application Number:
  US11/323,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20080207202A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing a user interface for facilitating communications between devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device provides communications between a first device and a second device. The interface device has an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device. Logic within the interface device is configured to receive a request to interact with the interface device and to provide a user interface in response to receiving the request. The logic identifies a second device for receiving the data from the first device. The logic identifies a second format that is compatible with the second device and translates the data to the second format. The interface device further has an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.

Claims

1. An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device;

logic configured for

identifying the second device for receiving the data,

identifying a second format compatible with the second device, and

translating the data to the second format;

an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device; and

the logic further configured for

receiving a request to interact with the interface device, and

providing a user interface in response to receiving the request.

2. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the request is received via either one or more user input interfaces or one or more network interfaces.

3. The interface device of claim 2, wherein the user interface provided in response to receiving the request is selected from a plurality of user interfaces based upon whether the request is received via the one or more input interfaces or the one or more network interfaces.

4. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured for receiving user input.

5. The interface device of claim 4, wherein the user input includes a request to access a user profile stored on the interface device.

6. The interface device of claim 2, wherein the one or more user input interfaces includes at least one of a mouse interface, a touchpad interface, a motion sensor interface, and a touchscreen interface.

7. The interface device of claim 2, wherein the network interface includes at least one of a computer interface and a cellular telephone interface.

8. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is displayed on a device associated with the received request.

9. An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

logic configured for

determining whether the first device is present, and

if the first device is present, powering up the second device;

an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device;

the logic further configured for

identifying the second device for receiving the data,

identifying a second format compatible with the second device, and

translating the data to the second format; and

an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.

10. The interface device of claim 9, wherein determining whether the first device is present comprises determining whether the first device is connected to the input.

11. The interface device of claim 10, wherein determining whether the first device is connected to the input comprises determining whether the first device is connected to the input via a wired connection.

12. The interface device of claim 10, wherein determining whether the first device is connected to the input comprises determining whether the first device is connected to the input via a wireless connection.

13. A method for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

receiving, at an interface device, data in a first format from the first device;

identifying the second device for receiving the data;

identifying a second format compatible with the second device;

translating the data to the second format;

receiving a request to interact with the interface device; and

providing a user interface in response to receiving the request.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the request is received via either one or more user input interfaces or one or more network interfaces.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user interface provided in response to receiving the request is selected from a plurality of user interfaces based upon whether the request is received via the one or more input interfaces or the one or more network interfaces.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more user input interfaces includes at least one of a mouse interface, a touchpad interface, a motion sensor interface, and a touchscreen interface, and wherein the one or more network interfaces includes at least one of a computer interface and a cellular telephone interface.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting the translated data to the second device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the user interface is configured for receiving user input.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the user input includes a request to access a user profile stored on the interface device.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying the user interface on a device associated with the received request.