CONTEXT AWARE FUNCTIONALITY IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20140075051A1
• Filed: 09/06/2013
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Zadesky, Stephen, Rothkopf, Fletcher, Lynch, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,495,307 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/122 where hardware performs an I/O function other than control of data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

A method for operating a portable electronic device includes receiving an identifier associated with an accessory connected to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device then determines a set of actions to be performed for that accessory based on the received identifier. The portable electronic device then performs the determined actions.

Claims

1. A method of operating an electronic device comprising:

receiving, by the electronic device, a unique identifier for an accessory connected to the electronic device;

determining a set of actions associated with the identifier; and

performing the set of actions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the set of actions comprises comparing the identifier to a list of identifiers stored in the portable electronic device to determine one or more actions associated with the identifier.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the set of actions comprises comparing the identifier to a list of identifiers stored in list is external to the portable electronic device to determine one or more actions associated with the identifier the.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifier is stored in memory disposed in a connector associated with the accessory.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of actions includes setting a setting on the accessory and the step of performing the set of actions includes formulating and sending a command to the accessory to set the setting.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of actions includes setting a setting on the portable electronic device.

7. A method of operating an electronic device comprising:

receiving, by an electronic device, a unique serial number for an accessory connected to the portable electronic device;

determining if one or more actions to be performed have been defined for the accessory based on the unique serial number;

determining if one or more actions to be performed has been defined based on the category of the accessory; and

if one or more actions are to be performed from either of the determining steps, performing the one or more actions.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein if it is determined that one or more actions are to be performed based on the unique serial number, the step of determining whether one or more actions is to be performed based on the category of the accessory device is not performed.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein actions to be performed based on the unique serial number override actions to be performed based on the category of the accessory device.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the set of actions includes setting a setting on the accessory and the step of performing the set of actions includes formulating and sending a command to the accessory to set the setting.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the set of actions includes setting a setting on the portable electronic device.

12. A method comprising:

receiving, by a portable electronic device, an identifier for an accessory connected to the portable electronic device;

determining, by the portable electronic device, based on the identifier that there are no actions associated with the identifier;

presenting, by the portable electronic device, to a user of the portable electronic device a configuration menu that enables a user to identify one or more actions to be associated with the accessory and performed when the accessory is connected to the portable electronic device;

receiving, by the portable electronic device, a selection of one or more actions from the list of actions;

generating, by the portable electronic device, association information between the identifier and the one or more actions; and

storing, by the portable electronic device, the association information in a list or list.

13. A portable electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

an accessory communication interface coupled to the processor, wherein the processor in conjunction with the accessory communication interface is configured to;

receive an identifier for an accessory connected to the portable electronic device;

determine a set of actions associated with the identifier; and

perform the set of actions.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 13 wherein the accessory communication interface includes a first connector configured to mate with a corresponding second connector of the accessory;

and

wherein the first connector is further configured to receive the identifier stored in the second connector.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to access a list to determine the set of actions, and wherein the list stores association information between the identifier and one or more actions performable by the portable electronic device.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 13 wherein the set of actions includes one or more actions associated with one or more capabilities supported by the portable electronic device.

17. A method of operating an electronic device comprising:

receiving, by an electronic device, a unique serial number for an accessory connected to the portable electronic device;

comparing the unique serial number to a list of serial numbers stored in a memory coupled to the portable electronic device; and

if the serial number matches a serial number in the list of serial numbers, identifying the accessory as a counterfeit device.

18. The method of operating an electronic device set forth in claim 17 further comprising displaying a message on the electronic device indicating the accessory is a counterfeit device.

19. The method of operating an electronic device set forth in claim 17 further comprising preventing the counterfeit device from operating with the portable electronic device.

20. The method of operating an electronic device set forth in claim 19 wherein the preventing step comprises setting one or more contacts of a connector incorporated into the portable electronic device in an open state.