System and method for automatic device synchronization

• US 6,138,245 A
• Filed: 02/05/1999
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Neopoint, Inc.
• Inventors: Son, William Y., McLaren, II, Elbert A., Yi, Seung B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elmore, Reba I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Rijue
• Application Number:
  US09/245,823
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 713/400, 713/401, 713/500, 713/501, 713/502, 713/600, 709/201, 709/248, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/304, 710/5
• US Class Current: 713/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A wireless communication apparatus capable of providing information requests includes a wireless communication device having a wireless transceiver configured to send and receive communications across a wireless communication network. A hands-free unit can be included and coupled to the wireless communication device. The hands-free unit includes a speaker and a microphone configured to provide audio information to a user and to accept audio information from the user. A position determination system determines a location of the apparatus and provides position data indicative of such location to a server along with the information request. The server can process the information request along with the position information and provide a response to the request to the wireless communication apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for synchronizing a portable electronic device with a host computer, comprising:

an interface, including an interface circuit having a transmit buffer and a receive buffer and a cable configured for connection to a communication port of said host computer and to a data port of said portable electronic device;

a signal path connected between a voltage source of said portable electronic device and said interface, said signal path configured to provide electrical power to said interface circuit upon connection of said cable to said data port of said portable electronic device;

a processor in said portable electronic device, said processor having a status signal input coupled to an output of said transmit buffer, wherein said transmit buffer is configured to output a first logic level upon application of power from said signal path, said first logic level resulting in a true logic level status signal at said status signal input; and

computer program code logic, executed by said processor and configured to initiate a synchronization process with said host computer when said status signal presents a true logic level at said status signal input.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer program code logic is configured to initiate said synchronization process when said status signal presents a true logic level at said status signal input for a plurality of successive clock cycles.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmit buffer is an inverting buffer having an input pulled to a logic low level by a pull-down resistor and outputting a logic level high signal when power is applied in the absence of data at said transmit buffer input.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said status signal is pulled high by a pull-up resistor and said transmit buffer output is inverted to provide a logic low level status signal when power is applied to said transmit buffer in the absence of data at said transmit buffer input.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said interface comprises a cable having said interface circuitry integrated therewith.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said interface comprises a docking station and a cable for connecting said docking station to said host computer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said interface circuit is integrated within said docking station.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said docking station includes electrical contacts configured to mate with corresponding electrical contacts on said portable electronic device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said portable electronic device is a wireless communication handset.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic device comprises computer program code logic configured to allow a user to enable or disable automatic synchronization.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic device further comprises computer program code logic configured to determine whether said electronic device has been disconnected from and reconnected to said interface, and for initiating synchronization upon reconnection.

12. In a portable electronic device, an apparatus for enabling the portable electronic device to automatically synchronize to a host computer without user intervention, upon connection to said host computer, comprising:

a data port configured to connect said portable electronic device to the host computer via an interface;

a power line configured to provide power from said portable electronic device to said data port, wherein connection of said interface to said port supplies power to said interface via said power line, thereby providing power to a buffer in said interface;

a processor in said portable electronic device, said processor having a status signal input coupled to an output of said buffer via said data port, wherein said buffer is configured to output a first logic level upon application of power from said power line, said first logic level resulting in a true logic level status signal at said status signal input; and

computer program code logic, executed by said processor and configured to initiate a synchronization process with said host computer when said status signal presents a true logic level at said status signal input.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said computer program code logic is configured to initiate said synchronization process when said status signal presents a true logic level at said status signal input for a plurality of successive clock cycles.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said interface comprises a docking station and a cable for connecting said docking station to said host computer, and wherein said synchronization process begins when said electronic device is placed in said docking.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said portable electronic device is a wireless communication handset.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein said electronic device comprises computer program code logic configured to allow a user to enable or disable automatic synchronization.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein said electronic device further comprises computer program code logic configured to determine whether said electronic device has been disconnected from and reconnected to said interface, and for initiating synchronization upon reconnection.