Dual Function Device

• US 20100299712A1
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Austin, Stephen Christopher, Posadas, Michael Andrew, Furlan, John Louis Warpakowski, O'Connor, Michael Denis, Wilson, Terence
• Application Number:
  US12/577,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20100299712A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A communication system for accessing media items via a display device. A receiver is coupled to the display device and a transmitter is coupled to a computer system. Media items stored locally on the computer system and/or remotely on a remote server may be wirelessly transferred from the transmitter to the receiver for display on the display device. In addition, the transmitter and the receiver may be pre-paired prior to delivery to the user, allowing for the network to be configured without any user input. Advantageously, embodiments provide a user with the ability to conveniently view content stored on a computer or a web server without the user having to perform any wireless network setup procedures.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a non-volatile memory storing a software program;

a connector adapted to couple the device to a computer system, wherein the software program is transmitted between the device and the computer system via the connector when the device is coupled to the computer system and operating in a mass storage mode; and

switching logic configured to switch the device from the mass storage mode to another mode, wherein the device can perform one or more operations when operating in the another mode.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connector is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is enumerated as a USB mass storage device upon being coupled to the computer system.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the signal comprises a USB human interface device (HID) command.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is enumerated as a CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) drive upon being coupled to the computer system.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the switching logic is configured to switch the device from the mass storage mode to another mode based on a signal received from the computer system via the connector.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the signal comprises a CD-ROM eject command.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the signal comprises at least one of a dismount command and a disconnect command.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the switching logic comprises a physical switch configured to switch the transmitter device from the mass storage mode to the another mode.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the another mode comprises a computer peripheral mode.

11. A method for operating a device, the method comprising:

determining that the device is coupled to a computer system;

receiving a software program stored in a non-volatile memory included in the device;

transmitting a command to the device to switch the device from a mass storage mode to a another mode; and

causing the device to cease operating as a mass storage device and to begin operating as another device associated with the another mode.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of installing the software program on the computer system, and wherein the software program comprises at least one of an application, a driver, a service, and a daemon.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the device is enumerated as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) mass storage device upon being coupled to the computer system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the command comprises a human interface device (HID) command.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the device is enumerated as a CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) drive upon being coupled to the computer system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal comprises a CD-ROM eject command.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computer system to operate a device, by performing the steps of:

receiving a software program stored in a non-volatile memory included in the device in response to determining that the device is coupled to a computer system;

transmitting a command to the device to switch the device from a mass storage mode to a another mode; and

causing the device to cease operating as a mass storage device and to begin operating as another device associated with the another mode.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising the step of installing the software program on the computer system, and wherein the software program comprises at least one of an application, a driver, a service, and a daemon.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the device is enumerated as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) mass storage device upon being coupled to the computer system.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the command comprises a human interface device (HID) command.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the device is enumerated as a CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) drive upon being coupled to the computer system, and wherein the signal comprises a CD-ROM eject command.