Electronic unit

• US 7,646,376 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E.E.P.D. Electronic Equipment Produktion & Distribution GmbH
• Original Assignee: E.E.P.D. Electronic Equipment Produktion & Distribution GmbH
• Inventors: Blersch, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis; David L
• Application Number:
  US11/482,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20070018955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-184, 345/903, 345/905, 710303-304
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device (10) for providing predetermined functions for a user (1) of the device, with a man-machine interface of the device for allowing function-related inputs by the user and function-related outputs from the device, a processor-controlled computer device for processing the inputs of the user and generating the outputs from the device, and coupling means for the electrical and/or mechanical connection of the device to a device support (14) associated with the device. To achieve simpler operation and a wider scope of application for such a device, provision is made according to the invention for the device to have means of detection for detecting the presence of a connection of the device (10) to the device support (14), and for the processor-controlled computer device to effect a modification of the man-machine interface (12) in the presence of the connection. A particular advantage consists in the fact that the modification of the man-machine interface (12′) can be specifically adapted, taking into consideration the application environment concerned (e.g. in the motor vehicle, in the home, etc.), in that during this modification the “device support type” is detected and taken into consideration by the device (10).

Claims

1. A system (14, 10) for providing predetermined functions for a user (1) of the system, comprising

a device support (14) from a range of different device support types, each device support type being provided for a respective application environment type, and each device support (14) storing identification information on the application environment type provided for this device support (14), and

an electronic device (10) for providing the predetermined functions for the user (1) of the device, comprising

a man-machine interface (12, 12′

) of the device to allow function-related inputs by the user (1) and function-related outputs of the device (10),

a processor-controlled computing device for processing the inputs of the user and generating the outputs of the device (10),

means of coupling for the electrical and/or mechanical connection of the device (10) to a device support (14) associated with the device, and

detection means for detecting the presence of a connection of the device (10) to the device support (14) and for reading the identification information from the device support (14),

wherein the processor-controlled computing device effects a modification of the man-machine interface (12, 12′

) in the presence of the connection,

wherein the modification of the man-machine interface (12, 12′

) of the device (10) is provided according to the identification information read and thus according to the device support type concerned, and is adapted to the respective application environment type, and comprises

a change in the nature of the access to at least one function from the totality of functions that can be provided by means of the device (10), and

a change in the nature of supply of this function by means of a change in a software operating interface.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the man-machine interface (12, 12′

) of the device comprises control elements (16) arranged on a housing of the device for inputs of the user (1).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the man-machine interface (12, 12′

) of the device comprises control panels (22) provided on a touch-sensitive display device (18) for inputs of the user (1).

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the man-machine interface (12, 12′

) of the device comprises luminous elements (36) arranged on a housing of the device for outputs of the device (10).

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the man-machine interface (12, 12′

) of the device comprises a display device (18).

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the man-machine interface (12, 12′

) of the device comprises a speaker device.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modification provides for a change in the selection of functions available to the user (1) from the totality of the functions that can be provided by means of the device (10).

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modification comprises a change in the input method.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modification comprises a change in the path and/or a characteristic of at least one type of output.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the totality of the functions that can be provided by means of the device comprises at least one function from one of the following function categories:

storage and editing of data,

data reproduction

communication

navigation.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the device has at least one device for data transfer between the device and a replaceable data carrier.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is provided in digital form.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one input/output interface (42) is arranged on a housing of the device support (14) for at least one device support types wherein this interface can be used by the device (10) if the device is connected to the device support.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein a fan device is integrated in the device support (14) for at least one device support type, wherein this fan device can be used for cooling the device if the device (10) is connected to the device support (14).

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modification of the man-machine interface (12, 12′

) involves a change in input and/or output paths of the device accompanied by an activation or deactivation of additional input and/or output paths which run from the user via the device support (14) to the device (10) or vice versa.